Brown will perform Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with a live band. Tickets prices will be tiered and range from $39.95  to $99.95 for front row VIP tickets, which include an artist meet and greet.

The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino announced Brown’s signing to a multi-year headlining contract in September.

The entertainer is well known for his amazing comedy and vast repertoire of celebrity impressions such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson and Sylvester Stallone, as well as Las Vegas icons like Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis, Jr. Brown has consistently received rave reviews by both critics and audiences alike, and has been recognized as Entertainer of the Year and Best Show.

The Golden Nugget’s Showroom, which completed a major expansion and renovation in October 2006, is an intimate, 600-seat theater on the third level of the hotel’s Spa Tower. It features plush seats and an advanced, state-of-the-art digital audio and visual system.

The history of the Golden Nugget’s showroom sets it apart from other venues of its size. Outstanding headliners of all genres such as Frank Sinatra, Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Don Rickles, Rich Little, Randy Travis and Regis Philbin have played the showroom, which continues bringing in a variety of acts and headline entertainment appealing to all tastes. 
http://www.casinotravelnews.com

The action centers on Rotating Wild symbols. When these Wilds appear on the middle reel, any win is paid while the six symbols around the wilds rotate until a new win combination appears.

A second bonus event begins when two bonus symbols appear at which time the screen displays four locked chests.

You then make a selection to display a number of free spins, however, if Houdini appears, you make an extra pick along with 10 more free spins.

Pick Houdini on the first try and all free spins are multiplied by four. As usual, free spins can be re-triggered during the initial round.

It’s obvious that there is more than magic going on with this fast-paced game.

2) Shaman’s Magic:
Stars and eclipses are spread across the screen on this slot waiting to begin a free spin round.

The star begins 10 freebie spins during which an extra eclipse is added on the middle three reels. Between re-starting the freebie round and extra wild symbols, there are ample opportunities for collecting plenty of credits.

Also, for your benefit, there are no paylines and all wins paid as scatters meaning this game has 247 possible winning combinations. That’s Magical!

3) Hot Hot Super Respin: 
Let’s count the ‘hot’ features—50 paylines, an extra row of paying symbols, four symbols stacked on each reel instead of three and all paylines for just 40 credits. Toss in an extra 10 credits to qualify for the Hot Hot Super Respin bonus.

We begin with the games of Zeus 11, Hearts of Venice and Griffin’s Gate. As the corresponding symbols are stacked on the reel, they are held for one or more respins.

Three scattered bonus symbols begin a 10 free spins event. During the free spins, if three bonus symbols land again, it re-starts for more free spins.

Don’t ya love a slot that offers so many ‘hot ways’ to win?

4) Inca Legend:
The jaguar symbol is wild substituting for the necklace, cup, bird, butterfly or any poker symbol.

If one jaguar subs in a wining combo, the jackpot is doubled while two jaguars equal a jackpot multiplied by four.

This graphically rich slot carries additional symbols of an ancient Inca temple and pyramid. Three four or five pyramid symbols scattered on the reels trigger 10, 15 or 20 free spins and can be re-triggered.

As the set-up is arranged with 3 and 4 symbols on 5 reels, all wins are paid as scatters with 432 possible winning combinations. 

The ancient legend holds true today in that playing max coin brings forth maximum pays.

By: Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun

In the new Vegas, “blue” is synonymous with a curious trio of wordless humanoid aliens, whose playfully ingenious long-running show is nearing four years at the Venetian.

Exuberantly messy and thunderously noisy, Blue Man Group is a rarity amid on-Strip entertainments, hitting the sweet spot for grown-ups and kids alike.

Before the show begins, it’s amusing to watch the people seated in the first five rows as they wiggle into the clear plastic ponchos provided for them (it’s also funny to sit behind them with their comically pointy hoods). Announcements to the audience begin scrolling, stock-ticker style, and the increasingly silly instructions get everyone in a chummy mood.

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/26/blue-not-blues/

CARMEL ROOM.
Rampart Casino, 221 N. Rampart Blvd.; 507-5900

Probably the thing we liked most about the Carmel Room was its way of melding Old Vegas and new in food, atmosphere and even service. We loved it all, which included oysters Rockefeller, an ahi tartar trio, pan-roasted Chilean sea bass, beef Wellington, mashed potatoes with Cheddar cheese and a souffle that was half chocolate, half Grand Marnier.
Overall: A $$$$

CJ'S TEXAS BARBEQUE
7865 W. Sahara Ave.; 233-0190

This is no-frills barbecue that might remind you of those Texas roadside places with the picnic tables and stock tanks of soft drinks and meats ordered by the pound and served on paper. The barbecue includes very good brisket, ribs and turkey; as for the sides, the macaroni and cheese was the best of the bunch. Oh, and we liked the Shiner Bock.
Overall: B+ $

HOFBRÄUHAUS LAS VEGAS
4510 Paradise Road; 853-2337

An experience at the Hofbräuhaus has much to do with the room in which one is seated. The rear "indoor beer garden" is almost too quiet, but the raucous front room is more in keeping with the atmosphere of the Munich original. As for the food, the Sauerbraten was a tad on the dry side but the Nürmberger Rostbratwürstl, Bavarian Liver Mousse and Obazter, Swiss cheese with radishes, butter and rye bread, and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte would make Oma proud.
Overall: B+ $$

RAO'S
Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South; (877) 346-464

We had to reserve well in advance to dine at Rao's; in keeping with the New York original, this is a tough table. Was it worth it? For the most part, yes. Clams oregonata had been overbrowned, but we liked the Insalata Caprese, fettucine alla Bolognese, Uncle Vincent's Famous Lemon Chicken and ricotta cheesecake.
Overall: B $$$
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/38688829.html

By HEIDI KNAPP-RINELLA/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Alex at Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South, have received Mobil Five-Star Awards for 2009.

Mobil's Four-Star Award-winning restaurants are Aureole and Mix at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South; Bradley Ogden and Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South; and Michael Mina and Picasso at Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Aliante Station, 7300 Aliante Parkway in North Las Vegas, has announced a number of dining specials:

MRKT Sea & Land offers two-for-one filet mignon from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays, two-for-one prime rib from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and half-off martinis from 5 to 7 p.m. daily.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/38688839.html

The off-Broadway hit closes at the Rio Saturday night and reopens Feb. 6 in what used to be the London Club, a second-floor loft area that previously housed high-limit gaming.

"We moved as a success," co-producer Raphael Berko says of the interactive dinner comedy that opened at the Rio in early 2002. "We left to grow the show more."

He says an air of indifference had settled in at the Rio. "We need some excitement, some marketing help and some new ideas," all of which he claims Planet Hollywood chairman Robert Earl is enthusiastic to provide.

The show's original director, Larry Pelligrini, is revising and updating the spoof of Italian weddings for the new room, Berko says. Pelligrini was an original cast member when the interactive hit debuted in 1988, and he launched the Rio version with original writer Nancy Cassaro.

The seating capacity will increase from 275 to 450, which Berko and co-producer Jeff Gitlin are optimistic about filling even in a bad year. Besides increasing the number of "cousins" in the cast as needed to interact with patrons, the show now plans to feature a weekly guest star.

On Sunday, "Mad Men" won a Screen Actors Guild award, to go along with its Emmys and Golden Globes. Tonight, cast members stage a musical version of the 1960s drama at MGM's Hollywood Theatre.

And there's a chance this "Rat Pack-y" revue — using songs, a big band, costumes and sets from the show, all overseen by producers and "Mad Men" designers — could become a regular gig in Las Vegas.

"They're talking about doing this in New York, and they're talking about doing it in London. I've actually heard Australia mentioned," says Joel Murray, who emcees the musical and portrays Freddy on the TV show.

"But more importantly, they're inviting all the booking agents for the Vegas casinos to the show Tuesday night. And I'd like to see it turn into a one-, two-week run here, as opposed to anywhere else."
http://www.lvrj.com/news/38442459.html

One show closes and two days later, another opens. That's the natural ebb and flow of Las Vegas entertainment.

Except this time, a weird coincidence points out the difference between what is and what might have been.

The historic "Folies Bergere" closes at the Tropicana on March 28, less than a year shy of its 50th anniversary. Two days later, the brand new "Peepshow" opens at the Planet Hollywood Resort.

The latter is helmed by hot Broadway director Jerry Mitchell, who made no secret of a dream when he restaged "Hairspray" here in early 2006: "I'd like to do the today version of the Donn Arden spectacular."

Arden didn't do "Folies," but was behind other classic Vegas production shows such "Jubilee!," soon to be the last example of the iconic showgirl revue.

The public's fascination with one of the worst maritime tragedies in history is almost as fascinating as the event itself. Countless books have been written on the subject, endless documentaries shown on the History Channel, and apparently they even made a little movie about it. What is it about this ship and its sinking nearly 100 years ago that still resonates with people today?

"Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" capitalizes on that seeming never ending fascination by presenting a host of information, documentation, recreations, and artifacts from the wreckage site. These combine to paint a picture of the life and death of the ship and its passengers in a way that may not shed any new light on the tragedy but certainly educates and immerses in a way that Leo and Kate's cinematic endeavor never could have.

For several years, the exhibition was held at the Tropicana but has now moved to a more permanent home at Luxor. For the most part the experience of visiting is the same, although there is one major piece added that may make it worth going back again. More on that in a moment.

The artifacts are a motley mix; everything from china and partial furnishings that belonged to the ship down to the personal effects of those who traveled on her. Each comes with an explanation of the artifact and often with special context to deepen its impact. For instance, the skeletal remains of a transom would be just a hunk of curved metal but then you look up and see an almost life-size photograph of the veranda café doors where the transom once lived and suddenly it has life. Pieces of tile, from intricately detailed down to relatively pedestrian are grouped according to the economic status of the portion of the ship they came from.

But the most interesting portions of the exhibit, in my opinion, are the recreations of portions of the ship. There is a first class cabin, opulent and luxurious even by today's standards, while nearby a third class cabin, with multiple bunks and exposed ductwork shows the class warfare that resulted, in part, in a higher percentage of poor people losing their lives in the sinking of the ship. The grand staircase is rebuilt here as is an exterior walkway, done with a dark backdrop, sound effects, and chilly air to try to evoke what one must have felt strolling the decks in the minutes before the ship hit the iceberg.

Speaking of which, there's even an iceberg; or, at least, a giant chunk of ice that passes for one. They make a big deal about allowing you to touch it, which results in an ongoing trail of "wow, that's cold" exclamations from the visitors, as if that's surprising for some reason.

The piece that has been added to the collection in its new home at Luxor is a doozy: a giant chunk of the ship's hull complete with a diagram and photos showing exactly how it fit on the ship. It looms large in a dimly lit space and for some reason it, more than any other artifact in the exhibition, gives scope to what happened back in 1912.

I don't claim to understand why this particular tragedy still captures our collective imagination and I do believe, on some level, that things like this exhibition may be exploiting the tragedy for someone's financial gain. One hundred years from now, will there be a traveling exhibition of artifacts from 9/11 on display in a Las Vegas casino convention hall? Perhaps.

Having said that, it's impossible to deny that this exhibition is tastefully presented and respectful to the people who lost their lives. In fact, it is humanity that is at the forefront here, telling personal stories told by belongings and surroundings that strive to honor despite the $27 ticket price.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit
Luxor
3900 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
800-288-1000

website

Price:
$27 Adults
$25 Seniors
$20 children 4-12
Hours:
Daily 10am-10pm

Vegas4Visitors Rating: B
http://vegas4visitors.com

The smash hit JERSEY BOYS at The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino has been named the number one show of the year by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada’s largest newspaper.

In a year of stiff competition, JERSEY BOYS claimed the top spot for entertainment in 2008 ahead of such celebrated productions as Bette Midler “The Showgirl Must Go On,” Cher and Donny and Marie Osmond.

Entertainment critic for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mike Weatherford, writes, “…the group’s crowd-pleasing ‘Behind the Music’ bio at The Palazzo fits the heart and soul of The Strip better than any Broadway hit tried here.”

JERSEY BOYS opened in Las Vegas on May 3, 2008 as the exclusive west coast permanent company, led by Erich Bergen (Bob Gaudio), Rick Faugno (Frankie Valli), Jeff Leibow (Nick Massi) and Deven May (Tommy DeVito) as The Four Seasons. Presented in Las Vegas in a unique, custom-built theatre adorned with one-of-a-kind memorabilia from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, JERSEY BOYS at The Palazzo is the same production fans all over the world have come to know and love.

JERSEY BOYS performs at The Palazzo Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 7 p.m.; Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Saturday at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and dark on Wednesday.

JERSEY BOYS runs two hours (including a short break between Acts I & II).

JERSEY BOYS, which opened on Broadway to rave reviews on November 6, 2005, continues to be completely sold out and the hottest ticket on the Great White Way. JERSEY BOYS received the 2006 Tony Award® for Best Musical and the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Recording; that recording was certified Gold by the RIAA in February, and is regularly found at the top of the Billboard chart of best-selling show CDs.

JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were thirty. The show features such hits as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Oh, What a Night,” and many more.

JERSEY BOYS is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. The Las Vegas production is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. JERSEY BOYS has scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy and projections design by Michael Clark. The orchestrations are by Steve Orich and the music direction and vocal arrangements by Ron Melrose.

I discovered a new bar and a new restaurant during January that
impressed me enough to write about them.

Frankie’s near UMC is now the Tiki Room and it rocks when you want
a “real” drink. They have a menu of specialty drinks that tell you their
potency by using skulls in place of stars. I highly recommend Frankie’s
Tiki Room with one warning – “Take a cab!”

The Emperor’s Court at Caesars Palace is no Sea Harbour. After
decades the name and theme has changed. This fine dining
establishment qualifies as the best restaurant in Las Vegas from an architectural standpoint for private parties. Its decor and design is
outstanding. The food is Cantonese-style. There are balconies for when
the weather is nice. Large round tables are traditional in China. The hot
and sour soup is the best I’ve had. Being a one-drink person my Melontoni
martini was excellent. The wait staff was impeccable. Just being in Caesars
with a private elevator and to be greeted is a big perk.

Nine shows closed last year: “Spamalot,” “The Second City,” “The Star
Trek Experience,” “Ooh La La,” “The World’s Greatest Magic Show,”
“Mamma Mia!” “Stomp Out Loud,” “The Producers” and “The Gazillion
Bubble Show.” Most of the others are down 20 to 30 percent trying to
weather the economic storm.

If Las Vegas wants to recover the hotel-casino
have to offer deals like in the old days. Free drinks was the mob’s forte’.
The more they drink the more they play and do things. It was a good time
tactic. Other resorts like Puerto Vallarta are offering deals. My neighbors
spent 11 nights there and for $1,853 they received air fare for two. It was
all-inclusive with a room and all you can eat and drink. They bought this
dream vacation on Expedia. This is what Las Vegas is up against not to
mention that January in Puerto Vallarta is in the mid – ‘80s.
Don’t forget to watch Lance Burton of the Monte Carlo kick off
“Magic Week” on “The Late Late Show” with Craig Ferguson on Monday,
Feb. 2. His “Master Magician” show is one that you can’t go wrong
recommending. He appeals to all ages and ethnicities from all four corners
of the world. Sadly since Siegfried & Roy no longer are performing, Lance
Burton who is approaching his 26th year of doing magic in Las Vegas, his
“Master Magician” show is the best one to pitch.

The resort will feature Studio B, a show kitchen buffet; a standard casino café, the Red Cup Cafe; Baby Cakes bakery; Piazza Grille, a Mediterranean-style grill; Vig Deli; Marinelli’s Authentic Italian Dishes; Terzetto, a steak and seafood restaurant; sushi and sashimi bar Restaurant Veloce Cibo and Bar Veloce; and Hostile Grape Wine Cellar, where guests can taste more than 120 types of wine.Details of the five bar areas weren’t announced.“We believe food is one of the most, if not the most important reasons why guests will visit the property,"

M Resort owner and chief executive officer Anthony Marnell said in a statement. "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."M Resort will own and operate all of the nine restaurants and five bars. The casino is scheduled to open March
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/21/m-resort-include-nine-restaurants/

Name of the Game
Big money rides on NFL's biggest match of the year.

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.

CITYCENTER SCOPE CHANGES

CityCenter Holdings, LLC, a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, recently announced certain scope changes related to The Harmon Hotel & Spa, which include postponing the opening of the hotel to late 2010 and canceling The Harmon's approximately 200 residential condominium component. CityCenter will be a 67-acre vertical city on the Las Vegas Strip and The Harmon, which will have approximately 400 rooms and suites, is just one component of the whole complex.

All other components of CityCenter remain on schedule for a December 2009 grand opening. Other properties will include: the centerpiece 4,000-room Aria Resort & Casino; The Mandarin Oriental Hotel & Residences with 400 hotel rooms and 227 residential units; Veer Towers with 670 residential units in two towers surrounded by retail, restaurants and entertainment; and Vdara a 1,495 hotel-condominium tower. Crystals retail and entertainment complex will offer approximately 76 high-end fashion, boutiques along with dining and entertainment venues.

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.