By MIKE WEATHERFORD and DOUG ELFMAN/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Usually on show nights, Danny Gans joined his band and crew for a short prayer. But on Friday night, for the first time in years, they prayed without him.

They held each others' hands — tight, so tight — a circle of 16 in the Green Room, near scores of framed photos of Gans posing with old Vegas (George Burns, Bob Hope, Ray Charles) and new Hollywood (Paula Abdul, Tito Martinez, Ben Stiller.)

The 52-year-old impressionist died at his Henderson home early Friday. The cause of death is unknown.

Police conducted a death investigation at the home Friday morning following department procedure, and Henderson police spokesman Todd Rasmussen said investigators don't believe foul play was a factor in Gans' death.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/44221857.html

In another eerie twist, one of entertainer Danny Gans' final acts was the completion of his autobiography on Wednesday, the day of his last show and two days before he died.

Gans' manager, Chip Lightman, said the manuscript, in the works for about a year, tentatively has the working title "Voices in My Head."

Gans, a Las Vegas headliner since 1996, died early Friday at his home. He was 52. The cause of death is unknown.

Gans had been headlining at Steve Wynn's Encore hotel since early this year, after an 81/2-year run at The Mirage.

Gans, 52, was found dead at his home early Friday.

The cause of death did not show up in the autopsy, according to the Clark County coroner's office. Results from toxicology tests typically take weeks.

Two pastors who have been associated with Gans and his family spoke at the funeral.

Gans, the headliner at the Encore hotel for 12 weeks, had reunited with Steve Wynn, who had signed him to an eight-year deal at The Mirage in 2000.

The family has asked for donations to two of Gans' favorite charities — the Junior Golf Academy and the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation — in lieu of flowers. Donation information can be found at DannyGans.com.

A memorial service is being planned, possibly in Gans' theater at Encore.

CNN talk show host Larry King announced on his Twitter site Monday that he will do two shows at Gans' theater June 19-20, with his wife, Shawn King, opening for him as musical guest. The CNN star's autobiography, "My Remarkable Journey," comes out May 19.

Comedian Whoopi Goldberg has been booked for late this month.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/44445002.html

The family of Danny Gans is moving ahead with plans to have his autobiography published next month.

Gans' manager, Chip Lightman, and Review-Journal Publisher Sherman Frederick met on Monday, and "we're crossing the T's as we move forward on a handshake," Frederick said.

The R-J is planning a mid-May ad campaign to allow people to reserve copies.

"We are proceeding at a fast pace to have the book printed and available in June," Frederick said.

Lightman said the book will also be printed as a hard-cover collectors item and hopefully will be available in June.

The book, tentatively titled "Voices In My Head," will be published by Stephens Press, a division of Stephens Media, the parent company of the Review-Journal.

Gans, a 13-year Las Vegas headliner, completed the manuscript a week ago Wednesday. He was found dead at his home Friday. He was 52.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/44517027.html

The memorial is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be by invitation only because of seating limitations and "the many people who crossed Danny's path," said Gans' manager Chip Lightman.

Gans, who was found dead at his Henderson home May 1, was buried Tuesday after a private funeral.

The family is asking that cards be sent to Danny Gans Family, c/o Encore hotel, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to Gans' favorite charities, the Junior Golf Academy and the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/44579597.html

At this writing, I’m sitting off in a corner of the Roasted Bean at The Mirage, looking out toward a stream of people heading toward what used to be the Danny Gans Theatre. They are about to see a performance by the next Danny Gans, hot-selling ventriloquist Terry Fator. During the performance, Fator will tell them that he is dedicating this show to Gans, who died early Friday morning at his home in Henderson. He was 52, and anyone who saw him perform would say he was a youthful 52 (Gans' autopsy has shown no cause of death, and it could be up to a month before the cause of death is specified).

I am remembering Gans, with ample effort, as a man I honestly did not know well. Few did, I feel. But his passing is nonetheless a shock, in the order of the Roy Horn tiger attack, and I’m attempting now to pinpoint the moment I actually met Gans in person. It was one night prior to a show at The Rio, I think in 1998. I was with my then-wife, whose name is Adrienne. Chip Lightman, Gans’ longtime friend, sidekick and manager, introduced us. Gans heard the name “Adrienne,” and beamed. I could feel what was coming next. We all could:

“Yo! Adrienne! It’s me! Rocky!”

Hundreds of Las Vegans stand in an echoey convention hall — giddy, expectant and anxious — hoping to be picked as contestants during auditions for "Wheel of Fortune," the game show that shoots in Vegas for four weeks this summer.

Who are these people who want to be on "Wheel of Fortune" so bad they devote a Saturday and Sunday to solving word puzzles on a pretend-TV stage?

Melissa White, 26, has been applying to get on the game show since she was 18. Why?

"Number one: I want to be on television. I just love the spotlight. And number two, you get $1,000 just for going on," she tells me. "I want to pay off my truck.

"It would be fun to be on "Wheel," she says. Plus, there's the Vanna White factor.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/44289362.html

They'll be slicing up the profit from a string of pizza joints called "Pesci's Pizza."

"They're doing the paperwork" and could be in business in four or five months, said longtime Pesci associate Tommy DeVito of Las Vegas.

Pesci, who has played criminal figures in some of his biggest movies, including Las Vegas-set "Casino," was pulled into the 2003-2006 "G-Sting" investigation into Rizzolo's alleged underworld connections.

Theme park director says rides will be added as soon as economy improves.
By SONYA PADGETT / LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

The Adventuredome at Circus Circus opened in 1993 with four attractions.

As of February 2009, it had 25 attractions.

What a difference 16 years makes.

Detractors said a theme park couldn't survive on the Strip, even in family-friendly Circus Circus. On Jan. 1, 2009, the park hit 50 million visitors.

Starting in 2001, the park began averaging 4 million visitors a year. In 2002, the Adventuredome had its best year, recording 4.5 million visitors, making it the park with the 11th highest visitorship in the country, according to the magazine Amusement Business. The park ranked higher than SeaWorld and Six Flags Valencia that year, says Circus Circus' Tom Nolan, director of the theme park.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/44516892.html

Well, butter our butts and call us biscuits; this was some of the most amazingly tender, juicy brisket we've ever had, and the ribs and andouille sausage were right up there, too. The vinegar-based slaw was so tart it squeaked (that's a good thing), and we liked the black-eyed peas and rice, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, sweet iced tea and — Oh! — caramel-walnut-apple pie that was indeed heaven on a plate, as billed. (12/28/07)
Overall: A $$

FIREFLY
3900 Paradise Road; 369-3971

Firefly isn't the only tapas restaurant in Las Vegas — and the others are praiseworthy — but it brought the old Spanish tradition here and continues to do it proud, not only with traditional tapas dishes but also those that borrow from other cuisines and cultures. Among the best are Serrano ham and Manchego cheese, tortilla Espanola, albondigas, Firefly fries, stuffed dates, eggplant cannelloni and, for dessert, banana-Nutella sandwiches with Nutella dipping sauce. (11/20/08)
Overall: A- $$

MORELS FRENCH STEAKHOUSE & BISTRO
Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 607-6333

Asking us if we'd like filtered tap water instead of bottled charmed us right off the bat, but Morels easily stayed in our good graces with a combination of good service, a pleasant interior (and a patio) and top-notch food that included an amuse-bouche of a prosciutto-wrapped fig with a cherry-ginger reduction, mushroom bisque, a summer heirloom tomato salad, the daily fish (Loch Duart salmon), a Kansas City steak and Truffled Creamed Summer Corn. We even loved the good yeast rolls — and the tapenade and butter rolled in sea salt that were served with them. (7/4/08)
Overall: A $$$$

PIE TOWN PIZZA
2822 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson; 244-2246

Even among the main American pizza genres — which would be New York, Chicago and, of late, authentic Neapolitan — there are dozens of sub-genres, so that no two Chicago pizzas, for example, are necessarily alike. Pie Town's is more deep-dish than thick-crusted, with lots of gooey (that's a good thing) toppings, so fair warning if that's not your favorite. The Gold Coast Garlic Knots were worth going back for time and again, and other Windy City greats include a Pepperoni Pizza Puff and Eli's cheesecake. (10/3/08)
Overall: B+ $
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/44579517.html

Casino winnings on the Las Vegas Strip fell 12.2 percent in March, continuing a string of 15 months of decline.

The state Gaming Control Board reported that winnings at the 41 Strip casinos, computed before expenses and taxes, totaled $456.1 million for the month, a decline of 12.2 percent from March 2008.

The win was down in every other market in Clark County except North Las Vegas which posted a 9.7 percent increase, the second straight positive month for those casinos. That was attributed to the opening of the Station Aliante Casino.

Statewide, casinos posted winnings of $918.2 million, down 11.6 percent. Even Elko County, with its strong mining activity saw a decline of 12.9 percent.

More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/07/casino-win-strip-down-122-percent-march/

Just moments ago, Wynn and Encore executives confirmed our Vegas DeLuxe exclusive that Whoopi Goldberg will be playing the Danny Gans Theater this month.

Tickets have just gone on sale at the two resorts for Whoopi’s first two dates — May 22 and 23 — as part of the Memorial Day weekend activities we reported.

Whoopi is currently one of the hosts on Barbara Walters’ daytime ABC show The View. Whoopi is one of a very elite group of artists to have won Grammy, Academy, Golden Globe and Emmy awards. Top price for the VIP section of the 1,500-seat theater will be $99.

Steve Wynn, who is a longtime personal friend of the comedy actress, promises that Whoopi will feature her unique, candid and humorous observations on all aspects of life. It’s also believed that Whoopi will return for additional performances.

Whoopi becomes the first guest artist to perform at the Encore theater since the unexpected death of resident entertainer Danny Gans last week. CNN talk show host Larry King and his wife, singer Shawn Southwick, will be up next June 19-20. Steve is busy working with Danny’s longtime manager Chip Lightman to add weekend star appearances at the theater.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/robin-leachs-las-vegas-celebrity-watch/2009/may/07/whoopi-goldberg-schedules-dates-danny-gans-theater/

Frank Marino’s resume is rather thin.

The only job the 44-year-old entertainer has ever had, he says, was starring in “La Cage,” which abruptly closed in February after a 24-year run at the Riviera.

The Joan Rivers impersonator will fatten his curriculum vitae Friday when he joins the cast of “Tony ’n’ Tina’s Wedding” at Planet Hollywood, stepping into the role of “celebrity guest” — currently being played by Kato Kaelin.

Marino is scheduled to perform through May 21, but says it could be longer.

“Ignite,” the fire and illusion show that premiered recently at the Greek Isles, has hints of “Bite” — the Gothic vampire musical.

It’s not surprising because “Ignite’s” creator, Antonio Restivo, starred in “Bite” at the Stratosphere for four years before striking out on his own.

“I didn’t want to delve into another vampire show,” says Restivo, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. “When I walked into ‘Bite,’ I was the character, the embodiment of that character. I brought every element of myself to that production — my props, my illusions, my costumes.

“I don’t want people mistakenly thinking I’m taking anything from ‘Bite.’ Everything I did in that was my own personal design and image.”

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/06/ignite-heats-greek-isles/

During the course of the first season of the Travel Channel’s grub-shoveling show Man v. Food, Adam Richman has eaten his way through 18 cities and more calories than anyone cares to count.

In Amarillo, Texas, he took a stab at a 72-ounce steak with full accompaniments. In New Orleans he stopped by Mother’s Restaurant to down “debris,” the shavings off a freshly carved roast. And in St. Louis Richman battled his way through Crown Candy’s Malt Milkshake Challenge of five malt shakes in 30 minutes.

Now that the brain freeze has subsided, Richman is heading to Las Vegas to film a segment at Hash House A Go Go on West Sahara Avenue on May 8. The man known for his massive mouth and steel stomach will sit down to mountainous portions of the restaurant’s “twisted farm food,” which has left more than a few diners clutching over-stuffed bellies and groaning in its wake.

In tradition with its legendary past, the Imperial Hawaiian Luau is the perfect summer outing for audiences of all ages.  From the sights of the ten beautiful Pacific-Island dancers, to the sounds of the drums and conch shell to the taste of the finest Pacific-Island Cuisine, the luau is a journey for all the senses. The 90-minute dinner show features live music and traditional dances and costuming from several of the Pacific Islands including Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. The island-themed cuisine is a plentiful offering of roasted pig, seafood, an extensive dessert bar and many other island favorites.

FLAMINGO GO POOL
At the Flamingo’s adult-only GO Pool, party and paradise collide in an exotic, hip setting.  Nestled in a secluded area of the sprawling pool complex, the GO Pool offers the finest in relaxation, allowing guests to partake in “European style” sunbathing.  From top-notch amenities and activities to drink specials and industry days, Flamingo’s GO pool has something for the sun worshiper inside everyone.

UNIQUE AMENITIES & ACTIVITIES
Home to Sin City’s original Tan Ambassadors, only at Flamingo Las Vegas can you have a bronzed beauty personally assist you in achieving the perfect summer glow. Equipped with a variety of SPF’s, pasties, aloe and more, these gods and goddesses of the sun offer their expertise absolutely free of charge.  Guests seeking respite from the scorching summer rays may rent one of the luxurious poolside cabanas starting at just $200 a day.  Cabanas are outfitted with posh furnishings, a flat screen television, XBox 360, ceiling fan, mini fridge, and a safe. All GO Pool guests will enjoy fresh and funky tunes spun daily (except Tuesday) by a live guest DJ.  For guests who may get antsy relaxing on the deck, the Flamingo GO Pool offers floating beer pong, water volleyball and a “dance pod” that sits in the center of the pool, allowing females to be the center of attention.

DRINK SPECIALS & INDUSTRY MONDAYS
The Flamingo Beach Club sits adjacent to the GO Pool and serves up a variety of food and drink specials including salads, burgers, pizzas, wraps and fruit platters.  Corona, Corona Light and Margaritas are 2-for-1 all summer long with a local ID.  Locals reign king each Monday for the GO Pool’s industry day. Both males and females with a valid local ID will pay no cover charge and can take advantage of any drink specials offered that day.

BOOK TODAY: ‘GO GET WET’ HOTEL PACKAGE
Guests looking to stay and play at the Flamingo this summer should check out the “Go Get Wet” hotel package (promotion booking code: PKGFGGW).  Starting at just $69 a night guests may stay in an award-winning Flamingo GO Rooms and at check-in receive vouchers for two complimentary cocktails redeemable at any of the poolside bars.  The GO Rooms are Flamingo’s latest room product, decked out in retro-chic décor and the most advanced in-room, technology including iPod docking stations, in-mirror TV’s, electronic drapes and more.  The ‘Go Get Wet’ package is available to book now through Sept. 30.

GO POOL HOURS & ADMISSION
GO Pool is open 7-Days a week from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Must be 21 years or older
Mon. – All locals free, $10 for non-local males
Tues. –Thurs.: Free for ladies, $10 male guests, $20 male non-hotel guests
Fri. – Sun. : Free for ladies, $20  males guests, $25 male non-hotel guests

FLAMINGO LAGOON POOL
Flamingo’s Lagoon pool is the definition of fun in the sun. The beautiful retreat features multiple pools connected by lagoons, waterfalls and seasonal waterslides.  The sprawling pool is complete with cabana rentals, an open-air grill, guest DJ’s, floating beer pong, bikini bull riding, water volleyball and pool-side gaming tables.

HOURS & ADMISSION
Flamingo Pool is open 7-Days a week from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Cabana Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hotel room key is required before 1:00 p.m.
LOCALS WELCOME DAILY AFTER 1:00 p.m. (Must be 18 years or older)

For more information on Flamingo Las Vegas or to rent a cabana or book the “Go Get Wet” package visit: www.flamingolasvegas.com

BY: Jack Houston/Las Vegas Magazine

Playwright David Mamet has said that his greatest fear in life is that the audience would beat him to the punchline. In essence, it's every writer and performer's worst nightmare – becoming staid and predictable, slowly inching ever closer to irrelevance. Comedian Rita Rudner is in no such danger; her punchlines come fast and furious, and her timing and wit simmer with a knowing subtlety.

The word on Rudner has been that her shows are full of couples nodding in agreement, playfully nudging each other while she delivers a wealth of insights into men and women, marriage and shopping. This is all true, but it's Rudner's delivery and consistency that keep her act head and shoulders above her contemporaries.

Like many women, Rudner owns lots of pairs of shoes, and she's not afraid to admit that the best-looking, most expensive high-heels are the ones that make everyday walking an adventure. "I don't know how the streetwalkers do it," she says. "The sex must be the easy part."

She's notorious for what's been called a "clean" act, and while she uses curse words sparingly (once by my count), her anecdotes are anything but tame. Demure and elegant in a shimmering gown, Rudner proves the softest voices can sometimes inspire the loudest laughs.
http://lvshowbiz.com/

"The Comedy Stop" that was at the Tropicana 19 years will soon announce a new location and so will "Society of Seven," which has headlined at numerous locations around town.

'PEEPSHOW' AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD DELIVERS

The new "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood is delivering Tony award-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell's dream of a burlesque show with a "today flair" of a Donn Arden Spectacular. "Jubilee!" at Bally's is an Arden masterpiece.

"Peepshow" has beautiful women, energetic dancing, an incredible sexy cast, dynamic singers, music by a live band and six new songs, plus innovative and superb production value.

The loose fantasy theme has "Spice Girl" Mel B. originating the mistress of ceremonies role, the "Peep Diva." "General Hospital" star Kelly Monaco, who was the first season champion on "Dancing with the Stars" plays "Bo Peep," a timid girl who the Diva guides in her transformation into a confident, sensual woman while passing through numerous fairy tales such as the Big Bad Wolf, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, Little Boy Blue, Georgie Porgie, etc., but with erotic twists.

The whole show focuses on the art of tease with plenty of eye candy for both men and ladies and features a different take on many traditional routines like the bathtub and pole dance. While the costumes are primarily skimpy with all the ladies wearing glittery pasties, they are still top-notch.

The show is performed at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Friday and at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets range from $65 – $100 , with a VIP package available at $165. For tickets, call 702-785-5000 or 877-333-9474.

TRENT CARLINI OPENS 'ELVOLUTION™' AT STEVE WYRICK THEATRE

Trent Carlini has returned to the Strip with the launch of his "ELVOLUTION™" show at the Steve Wyrick Theatre in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. The show is Carlini's take on the evolution of Elvis' musical life highlighting multiple years including the movie and Army years, the years of the '68 Comeback, and the Las Vegas years of the '70s. He performs more than 20 of Elvis' greatest hits in eight separate acts. Each break allows for a costume change that is made as a video of Trent is played.

Carlini has performed in "Legends in Concert," headlined his own show, "Trent Carlini – The Dream King" at the oldl Boardwalk Casino, the Riviera, Sahara and Las Vegas Hilton. Carlini has performed more than 6,500 shows worldwide and appeared on such shows as "Entertainment Tonight," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show," in addition to his big win on ABC's "The Next Best Thing."

Show times are 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 and 9 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $70, $92 and $150, call 702-650-5081.

COMEDY IMPRESSIONIST RICH NATOLE OPENS SHOW AT HARMON THEATER

Comic impressionist Rich Natole will open his show "Voices of a Generation" on May 15 at 2 p.m. at the Harmon Theater. Dozens of celebrity voices will be showcased. The comic impressario will blaze through as many as 85 impressions from his 300-voice repertoire during a show that will change daily.

Natole comes to Las Vegas from Orlando, where he entertained corporate audiences for years before making his move last October. Tickets are $29.95 and $39.95 for the 70-minute daily show, call 702-836-0836.

POKER TRADITION CONTINUES AT BINION'S DOWNTOWN

Binion's downtown will hold the 3rd Annual Binion's Poker Classic beginning on May 25 and culminating with a two-day No Limit Hold 'em main event on July 7 and 8. Over 45 straight days, Binion's will seat players for 45 different events.

The ever-popular No Limit Hold 'em is the most featured with 29 events scheduled including Ladies Only on June 4. New to the schedule this year are Crazy Pineapple and a second H.O.R.S.E event.

The Championship Event in July will have the highest buy-in of the Poker Classic at $1,000. Some events are as little as $100 buy-ins, while most fall within $150-$300 range with three $500 events. To participate in any of the events, players simply register the day of the event. Last year, 8,400 people played in the Poker Classic.

Binion's unparalleled legacy in the game of poker opened the brand new Hall of Fame Poker Room in October 2008. The new poker room features 10 tables and offers a max rake of $3 on all live games, $2 comps per hour of live poker play, tableside food service and features historic photos spaced around the room with eleven 42 and 50-inch plasma televisions.

The Disco Ball will be held at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, July 11 at 8 p.m. Paying homage to the anthems of the '70s, the audience will be able to "shake their grove thang" when the headliners, the Village People and Gloria "I Will Survive" Gaynor take center stage. Tavares will also perform, as well as The Trammps, which will add to the evening's disco inferno. General admission tickets are $45, call 702-284-7777.

The new ONE SIX Sky Lounge at the top of the Eastside Cannery on Boulder Highway has new summer hours. It is now open Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m. The lounge with a Strip skyline view has floor-to-ceiling glass windows with a 1,700-square-foot, three-sided balcony. ONE SIX is also open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Happy hour is each night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring half-priced martinis and a free sampling from the menu. For information, call 702-856-5457.

Downtown's Fremont East Entertainment District is now the newest Las Vegas Farmers Market location for buying fresh regionally grown food from more than 20 vendors every Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m. The event is located between Las Vegas Blvd. and Sixth Street and the El Cortez is among the sponsors.

TMG Films and ElevenSpa Vegas that opened last February at Town Square have announced plans to launch a brand new television show, "Meet at Eleven," to air locally on FOX. The 30-minute celebrity lifestyle talk show will feature high-profile celebrities and prominent socialites talking exclusively with the "Meet at Eleven" host as they experience luxurious treatments and decadent pampering at ElevenSpa Vegas. In addition, ElevenSpa Vegas plans to donate $1,000 to the featured guest's charity of choice in lieu of an appearance fee.

'WORLD STARS OF MAGIC' SET TO PLAY AT THE SUNCOAST