By: Jerry Fink/Las vegas Sun

Lon Bronson fans will be happy to know that he and his All-Star Band have landed a steady gig at the Green Valley Ranch’s Ovation Lounge, a venue he has long-proclaimed to be the best small concert venue in town.

Beginning April 9 the band will perform free concerts there at 9 p.m. Thursdays.

“We’ll have lots of guest stars – local as well as national,” says the trumpeter. “Just not sure who and when yet.”

John Avello, director of race and sports operations at Wynn Las Vegas, established Gokey as the 4-1 favorite among the 13 finalists revealed Thursday. The 4-foot-11 Grace is 5-1.

Avello's odds are for entertainment only; no betting.

Mother of three Lil Rounds, a favorite of judge Simon Cowell, is 6-1.

Legally blind Scott MacIntyre, a gifted pianist, is Avello's fourth pick at 8-1.

Adam Lambert, a big-voiced showman, is 9-1. Allison Iraheta, at 16 the youngest finalist, is a 10-1 choice.

Matt Giraud, 12-1, one of four wild-card finalists chosen by the "Idol" judges, is betting on his soulful talents.

Anoop Desai, who's come a long way since starting off on Cowell's bad side by showing up for the Kansas City auditions in shorts and flip-flops, is listed at 15-1.

At 20-1 is quirky Megan Corkrey, the single mom from Sandy, Utah.

The others: Puerto Rico's Jorge Nunez, 25-1 (keep in mind that Avello had Taylor Hicks as a 25-1 long shot before he won Season 5; former Miss America contestant Jasmine Murray, 30-1; Texas oil rig worker Michael Sarver, 40-1 and college worship leader Kris Allen, 50-1.

With due respect to the sainted Tony Bennett and the femmes of the fading Folies Bergere, Levine just might have the longest-running showroom act in Las Vegas, even if he's never seen his name in lights.

He's no song-and-dance man, but at 84 he remains light on his feet. He's not a standup comedian — at his age, just standing up should be enough — but his comic timing crackles. During our interview I notice his hearing isn't so hot, but his eyes never miss a blonde.

Tall, distinguished, impeccably dressed, George Levine is one of the last of the red-hot showroom captains at a show that celebrates the Vegas mystique of Frank, Sammy, Dean, and the rest of the Rat Pack. In a show filled with impersonators, Levine is a genuine throwback. What some folks can't appreciate is the fact there was a time top celebrity showroom waiters, captains, and maitre d's not only made big bank, but were well known in their own right.

If you couldn't be the man in Las Vegas, it always paid to be the man who knows the man.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/40918117.html

"My doctor has told me that within one year I will be able to do everything I want to do," Horn told host Elizabeth Vargas.

And if that should happen, what has Roy missed most? Dancing and swimming with his tigers, he said.

Vargas extracted a fascinating revelation from Siegfried Fischbacher, who admitted to deep depression that led to "a lot of crazy things," including joining a monastery in Greece and getaways to Europe.

More from The Las vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/40918167.html

Last summer's season of "America's Got Talent" became a two-way street for Las Vegas entertainment.

It gave Las Vegas female impersonator Derrick Barry a chance to break off from "An Evening at La Cage" even before he knew it would close. "I feel like I got more press than anyone from that show," he says of his Britney Spears impression. "America was ready to see a new face for female impersonation."

Barry already was a working Vegas trouper. That in itself seemed a far-away dream for his fellow contestant Queen Emily, a semiprofessional singer from Stockton, Calif., whose aspirations had been postponed by the needs of her daughters and nephews.

But Emily (David) is now closing out the Las Vegas run of "Menopause The Musical" through April 5, and she is the first person ever to receive special billing in any production around the country.

Human shish-kabobs, glass eaters, knife throwers and sword swallowers perform for 70 minutes in the cozy showroom on the second floor of this casino north of the Flamingo.

The 70-minute freak show is produced by Anthony Cools, star/producer of "The Uncensored Hypnotist" at the Paris Las Vegas.

“This form of entertainment is rich in history and has a long tradition of drawing large, curious audiences,” said Cools.

"Freaks" is an adult production and includes partial nudity, adult language and graphic stunts. Audience members must be 18 years or older.
Freaks' comes to O'Sheas – Las Vegas Sun

On Monday morning, Thomas Schumacher, whose production of “The Lion King” is lunging at full sprint for Mandalay Bay Theater, introduced Mandalay Bay President Bill Hornbuckle as “insane.” Hey, I thought, “There’s the lead!”

But Schumacher was kidding (hence the grin) in his remarks at the rehearsal home of “The Lion King,” which is a big, prop-bedecked warehouse next to the Lamborghini dealership on Dean Martin Drive (if any cast member gets bored between scenes, he or she can ask sales whiz Eden Hatle to test drive a 2009 Reventon). This crew is fired up, to be sure. Everyone involved in the show was so upbeat at this early morning event, I actually sniffed my coffee for Maker’s Mark. For the first time, the cast sang a buoyant version — as if there were going to be any other version — of “Circle of Life,” and I was reminded of the line from “A Mighty Wind”: “They’re the kind of infectious that’s good to spread around.”

Nope, when you’re with the crew from “The Lion King,” you got no problems, mon, money-wise or otherwise.

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2009/mar/10/mandalay-bays-hornbuckle-nuts—-lion-king/

The Excalibur is filling a new niche, so to speak, for the gluttonous crowd.

The budget property is offering unlimited, all-day access to its buffet for $25. One can only imagine how much damage can be done to a roast or pasta platter in 24 hours.

Like many surprising hotel bargains these days, it's something of a social experiment. Or maybe a Pavlovian one.

The offer is available to customers who offer an e-mail address when they sign up for a MGM Mirage player card.

The debut 02 Arena show in the British capital will be July 8, with following concerts July 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 22 and 24; the final concert is July 26. Las Vegas-raised singer-songwriter Ne-Yo, who reportedly collaborated with Michael here on at least one of the new tracks that Michael has been working on for the past year, will perform July 11.

Michael’s marketing ploy for 10 final concerts obviously worked because demand has been so great, Ticketmaster’s online service nearly crashed. Now the singer has decided to spend his 51st birthday in London and add three more This Is It Tour shows. Overnight, Michael has added Aug. 26, 28 and 30 to the British run. He will celebrate his birthday on Aug. 29, coincidentally the same date as me!

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/robin-leachs-las-vegas-celebrity-watch/2009/mar/11/jackson-adds-london-concerts-ne-yo-aboard—-vegas/

“It was very good,” they said turning to an intimate gathering of 50-plus friends inside the Palazzo’s Sportsbook Bar & Grill.

I was the only invited journalist to sit with them through the broadcast. In between commercials, they happily posed for photos. They gave me a thumbs-up when I asked if they were pleased with the television special. Everybody in the room stood and applauded. They all agreed it had been an incredible idea to have a final reunion performance that had made “brilliant television” and benefited our city and charity.

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/robin-leachs-las-vegas-celebrity-watch/2009/mar/09/exclusive-interview-siegfried-roy-look-year-ahead/

Play Texas Hold'em
You've probably watched a few of those popular Texas Hold'em Poker Tours on TV. I'm not suggesting you mortgage the farm and enter one but you ought to consider learning how to play Texas Hold'em for low stakes. To help you learn the ropes about the game get Bill Burton's book for starters, GetThe Edge at Low Limit Texas Hold'em. Burton will teach you in plain English how a savvy low-limit player can turn a profit at this game. He should know because he learned the game on his kitchen table and he has become a winning player. Remember when you play live table poker, it's you against your fellow table players and the more skillful you are, the more likely you will gain the edge over your opponents.

Use Gambling Coupons
You've heard it before but it is worth repeating – use all the gambling coupons you can muster. Why? Because every time you use one you have the edge! There are many types of gambling coupons – Matchplays, Lucky Bucks, First Card is an Ace, Blackjack Bonus Coupons and more. Jean Scott's book, More Frugal Gambling, explains each coupon, how they work, and where to get them. Using gambling coupons is a no brainer. And as Jean quoted from an anonymous Internet coupon hound: "The question is not whether or not to use coupons, but how many!"

Play Blackjack Skillfully
One way to gain the edge over the casino is to get the math on your side. Card counting sounds too difficult for you? You can learn Speed Count in less than half an hour and play with an edge (read the Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution book or DVD for details).

Play Video Poker Skillfully
Here it's a question of playing the right machine using the right playing strategy while cashing in on comps and/or cashback the casino will give you just for playing. There are legions of smart video poker players that are consistently playing with an edge over the house (that includes my 90 year old father-in-law Peter, who has quadrupled his video poker bankroll). You’ll learn everything you need to know in the Frugal Video Poker book (Jean Scott) or Bob Dancer’s new book Video Poker for Intelligent Beginner. So why not give video poker a try this year? Still not convinced? Then ponder this fact.  Often the highest paying slot machine on a casino floor pays less then the worst paying video poker machine. Enough said?

Take Advantage of Comps & Cashback
You usually have to take a break to eat when you play, don't you? So why not let the casino foot the bill? That leaves you with more gambling bankroll and when you consider the cash value of comps, you can often turn a blackjack or video poker game from a negative expectation (long term loser) into a positive expectation (long term winner). No matter whether you are a low roller or high roller, machine or table player, you should try to take advantage of all the comps and cashback that you can get. Look at it this way – the casinos in the US gave away one billion dollars worth of freebies to players last year (that's billion with a B). Did you get your fair share? If not, check out Jean Scott and her daughter, Angela Sparks, advice on comps and cashback in More Frugal Gambling.

Learn How To Control The Dice in Craps
"Whoa now, aren't you getting into some black magic here." Thought you might be thinking this. But I've been there, so to speak, and watched and played with shooters who can influence the results of their dice throws (and also had their throws mathematically analyzed). They do this by how they set the dice, and how they carefully hold and toss them so as to maximize the numbers they want and/or minimize the appearance of the 7. Their amazing exploits have been featured on Travel Channel, History Channel, Playboy magazine and other publications. Dice setting and throwing is a physical skill that must be learned and practiced to be good at it. But if you are willing to put in the time and effort required to master this skill, it's possible to shift the odds slightly in your favor (you change the game of craps from random to non-random, which can give you the edge). For starters read the book "Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution or watch the Golden Touch Craps DVD where you will see for yourself how the experts influence the dice (seeing is believing).

Play Slots with an Edge
No, I’m not kidding. There are about a dozen slot machines where it’s possible to play with a mathematical edge over the house. You need to read Jerry Stickman’s book. Advantage Play Slots for all the details on which machine these are and how to play them.
http://www.smartgaming.com./

Blocks of slate tile will line the entryway where there will be a highly stylized frozen daiquiri bar with a counter embedded with mint leaves and backlit with neon green lighting. White will be the prevailing color with touches of cool greens throughout. Abstract white mint leaves will adorn the 20-foot-tall glass walls. The arched ceiling will display 15 Jeff Koons-esque sculpted chrome fighting cocks encased in glass protruding from the wall above guests.

The spacious patio will be framed by lush landscaping and offer views of the Las Vegas Strip skyline. Hours will be 10 a.m. until midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The company's other Las Vegas venture is T&T, which opened at the Luxor last summer.

NEW YORK-NEW YORK HOLDS FOUR-DAY IRISH CELEBRATION
The "luck of the Irish" is being celebrated over four days, March 14-17, at New York-New York. You'll be able to party on the Brooklyn Bridge and rock the night away at Nine Fine Irishmen until 3 a.m. The following groups are on the schedule: ultimate U2 tribute band Rattle and Hum; Irish favorites Celtic Rockers and Ri Ra; the all-female Irish-themed band Killians Angels; and Irish musicians Mike Bowman and Frank Joseph.

The festival atmosphere will feature food and drink specials at Nine Fine Irishmen plus a traditional bagpiper parade on March 17. A three-day ticket for March 14-16 is $25, which includes admission and three draft beers. Tickets for St. Patrick's Day start at $20 and may be purchased at the Zumanity Box Office.

SPECIAL SHOWS AT LIBERACE MUSEUM
The "Liberace and Me" Cabaret Series featuring composer and pianist Philip Fortenberry at the 75-seat Liberace Museum Cabaret Showroom at 1775 E. Tropicana Avenue has been extended through June 27. Fortenberry performs 45-minute shows every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $17.50, and all proceeds benefit the Liberace Foundation for Performing & Creative Arts, call 798-5595 ext. 14.

Fortenberry is from the Palazzo's cast of "Jersey Boys." For his performance, he's seated at Liberace's nine-foot mirrored Concert Grand Baldwin piano. He weaves the music around his own life story and personal journey as a pianist from rural Mississippi to Broadway, from recitals and talent shows, to command performances for royals and dignitaries. A highlight is his original "Portrait in Music," an improvisational gift to the audience created in the moment.

By: Kiko Miyasato/Las Vegas Magazine.

The familiar music starts and Gordie Brown approaches the mic and sings, "To all the plants I've smoked before." It's his comedic rendition of one of Willie Nelson's (and Julio Iglesias') biggest hits, "To All the Girls I've Loved Before." His impression is dead-on. But it's the comedy that drives the impression home. "The comic angle is the most important thing to me before the impression," Brown said. "It's a weird thing because I'm an impressionist, but what I am most is a comedic personality. I'm a comedic entertainer who does impressions as a tool to make his comedy even funnier."

Twenty years ago Brown got in his car, stepped on the gas and headed to Vegas from Ottawa, Canada. He never looked back. After landing a couple of gigs in Sin City, he headed for L.A. "I figured that I would go to L.A. like a lot of people do and try the acting stuff. I had a great time there but I always knew that I would come back to Vegas, and with the dream of headlining." His dream came true in 2006 when he headlined at The Venetian. Then Celine Dion came calling. In 2008 Brown took off with her on her North American tour as her opening act. But the place where he once performed was still on his mind. Vegas was calling again.

Brown is headlining once more at the Golden Nugget. His comedy show is chock-full of impressions; his repertoire reaches beyond the 60 mark. You'll hyperventilate from laughter as you watch Robin Williams, Alan Thicke, Nic Cage, John Travolta and Christopher Walken audition for the next Batman movie. Or bust a gut watching the celebrity golf tournament with Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Ray Romano and Jim Carrey. Brown's singing chops have garnered him his own album, coming out soon, but he's also able to morph his voice into greats such as Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Bob Dylan. Songs made famous by Eminem, Alanis Morissette and Michael Jackson get the Brown treatment; lyrics are turned into punchlines.

Brown's relationship with the audience is also a standout part of his show. It's as if you're an invited guest into his home. His role? The gracious host who makes you feel more than welcome. Inspired by Elvis, Paul Anka and Rich Little, Brown has already carved a sizable notch in the entertainment field himself. But, with a smile in his eyes, he says, "The best is yet to come."
http://lvshowbiz.com/

I think it was Miss Piggy who once said, "After all the trouble you go to, you get about as much actual 'food' out of eating an artichoke as you would from licking 30 or 40 postage stamps," and if there's anything I would trust a pig on, it's food. Especially frogs' legs. Also, mud.

That's wonderful, Jack, but while we're on the topic of mud, can we talk about getting down and dirty for a second – figuratively speaking, of course. For it was half-dollar Curtis Jackson who once said, "We gonna party like it's yer birfday," and the only place you can do that is the club.

True, true, Kiko. But you can't hit up the club without first building the base, i.e., lining your stomach with the best Las Vegas has to offer, then breaking out the bottle full a' bub.

I'll let you have that one, Snarky, but then we must devour the midnight hour at some of the premier clubs that Sin City provides.

OK, you do your thing, I'll do mine.

Hey girl, hey.

DELMONICO + TAO
HE SAID: Bam! Why kick it up only a little bit when you could kick it up a whole notch at Emeril Lagasse's one and only Las Vegas steakhouse. With just a pinch of his trademark Creole influences, Lagasse beefs up the New Orleans' original with award-winning wines and a cigar cabinet. SHE SAID: Even Siddhartha himself would climb down from his lotus flower to check out this Asian-inspired hot spot. The 10,000-square-foot party palace where gods and goddesses mix it up is lauded for its prime VIP service, sweltering dance floor, private skyboxes, celebrity clientele and the famous 20-foot golden Buddha.

AGO + BODY ENGLISH
HE SAID: The last time Robert De Niro was a partner in something, someone wound up dead. Good thing his Italian joint at the Hard Rock is very much alive. Agostino Sciandri pumps up his Tuscan-inspired cuisine for the A-list crowd. SHE SAID: Everybody can rock their bodies at this club (and, damn, are there some good bodies here). The swank den of desire packs in the sophistication, complete with leather booths, Baccarat chandeliers, black walls and even an über-VIP area.

OKADA + TRYST
HE SAID: Overlooking a garden and waterfall, the Wynn's Okada is isolated more than feudal Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate, babe. Modern Japanese and sushi is the name of the game at this Zen retreat that features various methods of cooking, from teppanyaki (on an iron plate) to robata (cooking by robots). SHE SAID: Bring your "lahvah" or leave 'em at home; either way, the sensuality lingers in the air at this indoor-outdoor rendezvous. Dripping in flirtatious colors, low lighting, velvet, leather and marble with a 90-foot waterfall that flows into a bubbling lagoon, your senses will definitely be left soaking by night's end.

COMPANY + CATHOUSE
HE SAID: Nicky Hilton, Nick Lachey and Wilmer Valderrama walk into a bar. While there's no punchline to this joke, the celebrities are all partners in Luxor's dining hot spot. Even those north of Houston would travel for the SoHo Kobe sliders, while Blue Moon beer-battered rock shrimp call out to my stomach and liver simultaneously. SHE SAID: Kittens, cougars and the men who like to pet them are welcomed at this 19th-century European bordello-inspired moonlight haven. The Cathouse Coquettes, clad in libido-lifting lingerie, perform dance numbers throughout the evening – these felines put peep shows to shame. Head nods go to the erotic photos that adorn the walls.

KOI + PRIVÉ
HE SAID: If it's good enough for Ari Gold, it's good enough for me. Entourage's power agent power lunches at L.A. hot spot Koi in the pilot episode, setting the stage for one of HBO's biggest hit series. The Las Vegas outpost at Planet Hollywood kicks it up a "nosh," adding Japanese and California touches to sushi, steak and seafood. SHE SAID: The temperature is about to rise, and it's a humid heat (better for the complexion), as Miami's party du jour The Opium Group and its "off the chain" nightclub also exist for the Sin City set. The sister club to South Beach's Privé stands on her own, beckoning A-listers to climb the escalator leading to her capacious playpen.

RAO'S + PURE
HE SAID: The New York original has 10 tables, but be thankful that Caesars Palace's location is bigger, badder and bolder. With Chef Carla Pellegrino at the helm, the signature lemon chicken is always a winner, as are the gigantic meatballs, taste-tested daily by amiable host-doorman Robert "Bubbles" Ubriaco. SHE SAID: If God needed a place to party, he would do it here…with the Devil right in the next cabana. Everybody and their mother – no, seriously – has partied here. It must be the 14,000-square-foot terrace overlooking the Strip, or the VIP areas with bed seating (naughty) or the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls Lounge where the kittens shake their thangs.

By Kate Silver/Las Vegas Magazine

You could say that Terry Fator has the whole world in his hands. Not only is Fator an impressionist/ventriloquist who took America by storm in 2007 with his performances on America's Got Talent, but each of his puppets is also an impressionist.

One minute Winston the Turtle may be singing like Roy Orbison and the next he's Kermit the Frog. Another puppet, Emma Taylor, can switch seamlessly between Natalie Cole and Etta James. Calculate all the possible permutations, between Fator's countless voices and his cast of puppets' abilities, and you'll understand the meaning of the title Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands.

Fator has been honing his craft since he was 6 years old. By age 12, he'd perfected a handful of impressions and learned how to throw his own voice. Now he combines the two talents and expresses them through his puppets.

By: The LVM Staff

Elvis Presley is to Las Vegas what apple pie is to America, peanut butter is to jelly, and fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches are to, well, Elvis Presley.

Needless to say, there are a lot of Elvis impersonators in Las Vegas. Some perform his repertoire. Others officiate weddings at chapels on the Strip. There's even a team of 10 daredevil Elvi who jump out of airplanes.

But for an authentic tribute to Elvis that spans the years of his prolific career, head to the Steve Wyrick Theatre inside the Miracle Mile Shops to see Trent Carlini's Elvolution. A performance by the award-winning Carlini is about as close as one will come to a performance by the King himself.

With uncanny Elvis-like looks, dance moves, voice and costumes, Carlini truly channels Elvis. Likewise his female audience members channel their inner teenagers, flocking to the stage in hysterics for a chance to touch the pelvis-shaking icon impersonator.
http://lvshowbiz.com/

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Beach Club pool is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. March 14 – 15.   Beginning Monday, March 16, the Beach Club pool will be open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, weather permitting.  For additional information, please visit www.hardrockhotel.com or call 800.HRD.ROCK.

Gardunos Restaurant at the Palms Hotel and Casino announces spectacular new additions to its all-you-can-eat Margarita Brunch on Sundays at $14.99 per person which also includes all-you-can-drink Margaritas. Beginning March 8, 2009, the new menu will feature the following Mexican specialties: French Toast Caramelo, Chicken Green Chile Waffle “Cooked to Order,” New Mexico Chili Potato Crusted Mahi Mahi with Chipotle Cream, Southwestern Spare Ribs, Homemade Flan, Warm Arroz Con Leche, and a made-to-order Omelet Station. 
   
All-you-can-eat selections include:

Freshly prepared House Salsa, Con Queso Bean Dip, Chopped Greens with Choice of Dressing and Condiments, Spinach Zia Salad with Jalapeno Vinaigrette and Fresh cut Seasonal Fruit

Chicken or Beef Fajitas, Machaca Verde with Eggs, Chilaquiles, Eggs Benedict Jalisco, Fresh Sausage and Hickory Smoked Bacon, Menudo and Pozole  

This is clearly not your parents' Italian restaurant; überchef Mario Batali and partner Joe Bastianich forgo the Sinatra for the screamin' guitar and breathe fresh air into their fare, such as a roasted beet salad, prosciutto San Daniele Riserva, orechiette with sweet sausage and rapini, grilled lamb chop with eggplant, roasted cherry tomatoes and a limoncello and poppy seed torta. (9/28/07)
Overall: A- $$$$

KOBE SUSHI BISTRO
6375 S. Rainbow Blvd. (also at 9340 W. Flamingo Road); 898-9998

Adding some fusion rolls and some "American" dishes to the menu has broadened Kobe's appeal in this growing neighborhood. Worthy of note: the Monkey Special (crab and spicy tuna on banana tempura), the Omelet Roll (crab, avocado, cucumber, rice and nori wrapped in a thin omelet), potstickers, edamame, Mozzarella Chicken and banana tempura with ice cream. (8/17/07)
Overall: A $$

LILY'S RESTAURANT
2101 S. Decatur Blvd.; 257-1330

Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurants are becoming as common in Southern Nevada as wing joints in Buffalo, but Lily's — which is Persian (Iranian) in provenance — rises above many of the others with well-prepared food and a serene atmosphere that belies its strip-center location. We liked the artfully presented Souvlaki, the Khoresht Fesanjan, the shish kabob, a combination appetizer plate of hummus, stuffed grape leaves and baba ghanoush, and baklava for dessert. (11/2/07)
Overall: A – $$

TRADER VIC'S
25B6 Miracle Mile Shops, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 405-4700

Umbrella drinks aside this is not your father's Trader Vic's; the pan-Asian menu and subdued decor reflect a more sophisticated American diner. We liked the Hawaiian poke, the Kalua pork sliders, Trader Vic's Fried Rice, tofu Thai red curry and nine-spice roasted half chicken; the authentic throwback (which is to say, not too sweet) Mai-Tai made things even better. (1/3/08)
Overall: A- $$
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/41196637.html

Here's one possible criterion for a great gay/lesbian nightclub: Not only do straight people want to go there, they feel comfortable there when they do.

It's a standard that has been working for Krave for about 41/2 years now. Today, the 17,000-square-foot club in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood has become a popular destination for a diverse universe of patrons, gay, straight, local and tourist.

Krave is "the only gay and lesbian club on the Strip," says Michael Palmer, the club's general manager, but it's "very straight-friendly. About 25 percent of our customer base is the straight crowd.

"What's the attraction? Krave's entertainment offerings go beyond the standard DJ/go-go dancer combo to also include stage acts and aerialists.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/41196657.html

The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino will host a three day wine and jazz festival this spring, March 27-29, 2009.

The Spring Wine & Jazz Fest will pair consumers, winemakers and winery owners with a poolside wine reception, a Grand Tasting featuring live jazz, barrel and bottle samplings of current vintage releases, seminars, exquisite cuisine, and will conclude with a live wine auction and champagne brunch on Sunday.

The entire three-day event will feature more than 250 wines from the California coast. Regularly priced at $275, guests who book in advance can lock in the discounted price of $249 for all three events. Each event can also be purchased separately for full price day of the event.

The first day’s event, held at the property’s award-winning pool and shark aquarium, will be a luxurious poolside reception to kick things off. This champagne and wine reception will afford guests the opportunity to mingle with winemakers, owners and fellow wine enthusiasts while listening to smooth jazz under the stars.

Following the poolside reception, the Grand Tasting on day two will welcome guests into the property’s fabulous and expansive event center, The Grand, where patrons will enjoy samples from over 60 wineries, including 200 selections from California and Washington’s most prestigious estates, and feature barrel samplings, current vintage releases, live jazz and exquisite food from the property’s award winning chefs, as well as a Riedel stemware seminar.

Finally the third day’s event will be a fantastic Sunday Champagne and Jazz Brunch where guests can revel in the sights and sounds of beautiful live jazz while enjoying exquisite brunch offerings paired with Laurent Perrier, Taittinger, Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. This event will conclude with a scintillating live auction featuring wine lots, large format collector’s bottles and much more.

In addition to the three-day festival, the property is also hosting two special events. First, a Napa Valley Red Blend Showdown where guests can partake in a special tasting of featured Napa Valley wines like Opus One and Duckhorn Paraduxx. Secondly, guests can test their wine tasting skills against the masters in the Blind Tasting, where they will be guided through a five-bottle tasting and taught the insider’s methods of deduction. Both of these additional events are designed to give enthusiasts the skills to hone and perfect wine tasting abilities. These additional special events are not included in the three-day pricing and are subject to additional fees.

Pre-fixe wine dinners will be available at Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, the property’s highly-acclaimed fine dining restaurant, as well as Grotto Ristorante, a classic trattoria-style Italian restaurant.

For more information on this event or to make your reservation today, please call
1-800-634-3454.