November 6th, 2009

Bette Midler’s residency at Caesars Palace to end Jan. 31.
BY: John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Sun

Bette Midler’s run as headliner at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace ends Jan. 31, the hotel and AEG Live announced today. Her engagement began Feb. 20, 2008, and she has swapped stints with Cher during that run.

“What a fabulous two years this has been, and I thank AEG and Caesars Palace for the best partnership a showgirl could imagine. Who knows? These legs have had such a great run in the desert — it may be time to haul them to places with more humidity and fewer slot machines. But first I need to finish recording my album of the sexiest new love songs that only a showgirl could sing,” Midler was quoted in the statement issued this morning.

“Bette is one of the most talented, hard-working professionals in the business, and we would have loved for her to stay longer,” said John Meglen, co-CEO and president of AEG Live/Concerts West. “All of us at AEG Live thank Bette and the entire cast, crew and staff for a great two-year run at The Colosseum.”

“Like every one of her performances, the approaching finale of Bette’s two-year engagement leaves us applauding for more,” said Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace. “Bette always will have a home at Caesars Palace.”
http://www.lasvegassun.com/

WORLD SERIES OF POKER: November Nine.
Phil Ivey sitting in seventh as Main Event resumes, but he is first on other players’ minds.

By HOWARD STUTZ
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Eric Buchman likes his position going into the final table Saturday at the World Series of Poker’s Main Event.

The 29-year-old New York poker professional is second in chips, about 24.1 million behind Maryland logger Darvin Moon and 4.9 million ahead of Wall Street investment banker Steve Begleiter.

It’s the player sitting in seventh place that worries him.

Phil Ivey, considered to be one of the best poker players in the world, is lurking. The seven-time World Series of Poker individual event bracelet winner — including two victories this year — is short-stacked with 9.8 million in chips.

But that doesn’t matter to his opponents.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/business/november-nine.html

World Series of Poker Main Event – The Final Table Lineup
http://www.lvrj.com/business/world-series-of-poker-main-event—the-final-table-68202467.html

Steve’s Las Vegas Quickies:

Comedy icon Shecky Green, who got raves when he returned to Las Vegas in May after a long absence, is back in January. He’ll be at South Point on January 8-9-10.

Monte Carlo and Excalibur are offering deals for the National Finals Rodeo (Dec. 3-12). Excalibur rooms start at $36 per night, plus taxes; Monte Carlo, $55.95. Information: www.montecarlo.com or call 866-934-1242; Excalibur reservations: (800) 937-7777 or www.excalibur.com

More details are coming out on the planned location of the Strip-based Las Vegas Mob Exhibition. It will be housed in a Capo’s restaurant which will open in an undisclosed venue in the first half of 2010. Jay Bloom, managing partner of the exhibition, made the partnership announcement Saturday.

Cirque du Soleil is extending a locals offer through the end of February and making it good for all six titles: Buy one ticket at full price, get the second for $25, plus tax and fees. You can find details at cirquedusoleil.com/locals

Showbiz insiders are in shock over the surprise split between Flamingo star Marie Osmond and Karl Engemann, her veteran manager of 35 years, even more so over the stunning claims and counter claims now flying in a series of lawsuits that have surfaced over the past few days.

Dancing With the Stars runner-up Mario Lopez, who recently celebrated turning 36 here at the Bank in the Bellagio, will again serve as master of ceremonies for the live Jan. 30 Miss America Pageant here at Planet Hollywood. Mario hosted the pageant in 2007 and last year. This year’s pageant will feature 53 contestants, including Miss District of Columbia, Miss Virgin Islands and Miss Puerto Rico, who returns after a 50-year absence from the event.

After eight years, Josette’s Bistro will close Nov. 21, and owner chef Josette LeBlond will move her crew downtown to open the Las Vegas Rocks Cafe on Fremont Street by Dec. 1. Josette’s Bistro opened in September 2002 when the vivacious French chef converted a sterile Jitters location into a cozy, authentic French restaurant featuring fine wines and live entertainment. In the past year, her cooking show La Cuisine has filmed 13 episodes from the bistro and will move downtown to continue shooting. At the cafe, Josette has created a new menu that’s being tested at Josette’s Bistro. Menu items include The Bugsy Burger, The Louie Primavera Pasta, Lake Mead Dip, Charo’s Chili and Casino Chip Nachos.

Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler, who announced Thursday that she’s ending her two-year run Jan. 31, didn’t score many PR points during her stay. “She refused to support our community,” Alicia Jacobs, KVBC-TV, Channel 3, entertainment reporter, said on the air Thursday. Examples cited by Jacobs included Midler’s lack of cooperation in helping to promote Nevada Ballet.

Marche Bacchus French Bistro and Wine Shop has added a menu created by new chef Jean Paul Labadie, a longtime Emeril Lagasse lieutenant. Jeff and Rhonda Wyatt’s lakeside wine-and-dine nightspot is at 2620 Regatta Drive in the Lakeside Center in the Desert Shores community. Reservations recommended: (702) 804-8008.

LBS: A Burger Joint at Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., is celebrating its one-year anniversary with lower menu prices and new menu items. Burgers now start at $8.75, and new items include ahi tuna sliders, a California chicken salad and Firecracker Fried Shrimp.

Pop changeling Lady Gaga lights up The Pearl at the Palms on Dec. 18. Tickets are $100 and $125 and go on sale at noon Saturday at The Pearl box office, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.

Mirage headliner Terry Fator has debuted new versions of his beloved puppets Winston, The Impersonating Turtle, and Emma Taylor in his show.

The two puppets have been made over by design, fabrication and production company Puppet Heap. Winston and Emma, among others, helped Fator get his start on “America’s Got Talent.” Show tickets range from $59 to $129, call 702-792-7777 or 800-963-9634.

Strip House at Planet Hollywood is offering the “America’s Got Talent Live!” package that includes a dinner featuring signature menu items for $55 paired with any price level ticket to the show hosted by Jerry Springer. Offered through Dec. 13, the dinner must be redeemed between 5 and 6:30 p.m., call 702-785-5000.

The Golden Nugget downtown will open its new 500-room Rush Tower to the public on Nov. 20. The $150 million expansion, which includes a new restaurant, three retail shops and a casino floor expansion, will bring the property’s total room count to 2,417 making it the largest downtown. The resort is also spending $1 million to build a new entrance at First Street and Carson Avenue.

Comedian Lily Tomlin will be performing in Las Vegas for the first time in her career at the MGM Grand from Nov. 10-18. The show performs at 8 p.m and tickets are priced from $58.50-$80.50.

The much-anticipated new live-music venue at the Mirage opens tomorrow. B.B. King’s Blues Club seats 558 and will feature four bars, a stage, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends.

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is set to open Nov. 13 with a Rock ‘n Roll party. You can reserve a table for the grand opening weekend by calling 702/220-PETE (7383) or by visiting http://www.petesduelingpianobar.com/.

Las Vegas-based airline Allegiant Air is offering a free flight promotion through Nov. 18: Purchase one air/hotel package with Allegiant by Nov. 18, 2009 and the second person flies free.

Last month M Resort axed breakfast from its buffet; now Silverton has discontinued breakfast during the week. They still serve brunch from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

PEEPSHOW CHANGES. By Norm Clarke/LVRJ

Colleague Mike Weatherford reports that Planet Hollywood’s topless revue “Peepshow” is cutting back.

Aubrey O’Day, the co-lead with Holly Madison, won’t be renewed when the pop star’s limited run ends in December, Weatherford said in a posting on “Vegas Voices,” the R-J’s blog site.

Director Jerry Mitchell “agrees we can get a pretty terrific person locally to play that role,” co-producer Scott Zeiger says of the “Peep Diva” part played by Spice Girl Mel B. when the show first opened.

Madison will continue to be the show’s marquee draw, and producers have high hopes for an E! series, tentatively titled “Planet Holly.”

“If the pilot resonates and ends up getting picked up the way we think, something like that could change the show,” Zeiger said.

He confirmed he will be talking to the Actors Equity union about a January break for “Peepshow,” similar to Cirque du Soleil’s annual extended vacations.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/agassi-book-fails-to-discuss-rogers-67906497.html

MIKE WEATHERFORD: Book reveals Gans’ grudge.

In a recent issue of Wired magazine, author Nicholas Thompson writes of the “Dead Hand.” It’s a Russian weapons system — still operational, he claims — that could fire back on the United States even after the Soviets had been hit with a nuclear strike.

I thought of the phrase after reading Chapter 34 of Danny Gans’ posthumous autobiography, “The Voices in My Head” (published by Las Vegas Review-Journal sibling company Stephens Press).

Though I’m not named, co-author R.G. Ryan confirms the chapter is devoted to me. “He didn’t want to call you out by name. Danny, if he was anything, he was a very sensitive guy.”

You can read the actual book excerpts and detailed rebuttal in the Vegas Voice blog today. But in a nutshell:

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/book-reveals-gans-grudge.html

NORM: Cirque neon will be flashing ‘Viva Elvis’.

Cirque du Soleil will make official today what ticket broker sites have been banking on for months: The name of the Elvis show at CityCenter will be “Viva Elvis.”

Cirque, I hear, is still shooting for previews to open Dec. 16, which is the opening night of Aria, the hotel tower where the 1,800-seat Elvis theater will be housed.

An announcement is expected soon on when tickets will be available.

The date of the premiere has not yet been announced, but there’s speculation it could be as soon as Jan. 8, which would have been The King’s 75th birthday.

Type “Viva Elvis” into Internet search engines, and a handful of glitzy ticket broker sites show up bearing the title. The rogue sites encourage Elvis fans to buy their tickets early. One site says tickets could cost upwards of $190.

In mid-September, Vegas Confidential revealed that the main Elvis role will be played by Leo Days, a former Elvis impersonator who grew up in Michigan.

There will be a young Elvis as well as members of his family portrayed at various ages. Many will have speaking parts, a rarity in Cirque shows.

Vincent Paterson, who will be directing his first Cirque show, directed and choreographed Michael Jackson’s “Bad” tour and Madonna’s “Blond Ambition” tour. Paterson also conceived of and wrote “Viva Elvis.”
http://www.lvrj.com/news/Cirque-neon-will-be-flashing-Viva-Elvis-69266357.html

MIKE WEATHERFORD: Hackett brings own Rat Pack to Sahara.

Sandy Hackett says his late father, Buddy, once turned down a chance to be Frank Sinatra’s opening act in Las Vegas.

Asked why, he explained, “I’d rather be competing with him.” Sure enough, Hackett’s name shows up on another Las Vegas marquee in the movie “Ocean’s Eleven.”

Sandy cites this as one reason for opening his own Rat Pack tribute, instead of waiting for the courts to sort out back-and-forth litigation with Dick Feeney, his former partner in “The Rat Pack Is Back” at the Plaza.

Another reason? “How long do you think I could sit on the sidelines? I need to go back to work.” So on Nov. 19, he plans to launch “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” at the Sahara, sharing a second-floor venue with The Comedy Stop.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/hackett-brings-own-rat-pack-to-sahara-69268682.html

New Year’s Eve lineup in Las Vegas: Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent, Shwayze.

Pure Management Group announce NYE performers at LAX, Pure, Christian Audiger nightclubs. BY Melissa Arseniuk/Las Vegas Sun.

Halloween is barely behind us, Thanksgiving has yet to happen, and the holidays are still a ways off but Vegas has its eyes set on New Year’s Eve.

Pure Management Group earlier today announced their line-up for what is always the biggest party night of the year.

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/nov/02/black-eyed-peas-50-cent-shwayze-play-new-years-eve/

Wayne Newton: The story, but not the sound.
The only thing fans will enjoy about this show is the memories it evokes.

BY: Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun

I had been warned that Wayne Newton can’t sing anymore. Apparently it’s been common knowledge for years that his voice is shot.

But nothing could have prepared me for the ghastly noises that came out of the Las Vegas icon Wednesday night. Newton can barely speak, let alone sing.

It sounded like the Vegas Chainsaw Massacre.

“Once Before I Go,” Newton’s uneven new show at the Tropicana, purports to be a stroll with Newton through 50 years of memories as an entertainer on the Strip.

More from The Las Vegas Sun here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/nov/02/story-not-sound/

Beyonce to return to the Wynn alternating with Garth Brooks?
BY: Robin Leach/Las Vegas Sun

Hotel tycoon Steve Wynn has been discussing Beyonce’s return to his Encore Theater at the Wynn to alternate with country singer Garth Brooks’ appearances there over the next five years! Steve and Beyonce’s father, Matthew Knowles, who serves as her manager, have talked about a regular series of short-run appearances modeled after Garth’s contract.

Meantime, before that deal is signed, sealed and delivered, Beyonce’s last concert here at the Wynn will be seen and heard on CD and DVD just before Thanksgiving. Industry insiders are suggesting that the Nov. 23 release might coincide with an announcement by Steve about her return to his Las Vegas property.

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/robin-leachs-las-vegas-celebrity-watch/2009/nov/03/beyonce-return-wynn-alternating-garth-brooks/

Former Platters Lead Singer Sonny Turner Returns to the Suncoast Showroom December 4-6.

Legendary vocalist Sonny Turner, former lead singer of The Platters, brings his signature style back to the Suncoast Showroom, December 4, 5 and 6.

Turner burst onto the national music scene in 1959, when he was chosen from among 100 prospects to replace The Platters’ original lead singer Tony Williams. Starting at the young age of 19, Turner toured the world with The Platters and gained popularity as the new sound of the group, with such hits as “I Love You 1000 Times,” “With This Ring” and “Washed Ashore.” He also re-recorded the group’s major hits including “Only You,” “The Great Pretender” and “The Magic Touch.”

In 1970, Turner left The Platters to pursue a solo career that brought him international fame. In doing so, he established his own fan base and following. Turner later lent his voice to such films as “Nutty Professor II” starring Eddie Murphy, and “Hearts in Atlantis” starring Anthony Hopkins.

A native of West Virginia, Turner and his family moved to Cleveland when he was a child. Turner first followed in his father’s footsteps as a boxer, becoming a Golden Gloves fighter before leaving the sport to pursue a singing career. Gigs at amateur shows and local clubs led to a recording contract for Turner’s group, the Metrotones, and set the stage for his future success with The Platters.

In 2005, Turner received The Lifetime Excellence in Entertainment Award in Las Vegas. He was also inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame and The Doo-Wopp Hall of Fame of America for his musical contributions to The Platters. Along with Herb Reed, bass singer and founder of The Platters, Turner is one of just two surviving members of the sensation that became one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. Turner continues to keep the music alive through concert appearances around the world.

Tickets are now available at $19.95, plus tax. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 702.636.7075 or visiting www.suncoastcasino.com

Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town Transforms into a Winter Wonderland November 26.

Mystic Falls Park, located inside Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, has always been a wonder to behold. Beginning November 26 and running thru January 2, the Western pioneer world will be transformed into a fantasy winter wonderland experience.

Upon entering Mystic Falls, guests will be greeted with festive garland streams, whimsical snow covered lampposts and more than 50 glimmering trees adorned in lights. A dazzling 30-foot professionally decorated Christmas tree is sure to amaze and inspire holiday cheer.

As the holiday show begins, three new polar bear scenes and a river scene with two fishing polar bears come to life in their snowy surroundings. Like in the Western snowy mountains, snow floats from the sky capping the waterfall and mountain range. All the while, light images and shooting water dance to traditional holiday music including “Frosty the Snowman,” “Let It Snow” and “The Nutcracker,” placing guests in the middle of a true winter wonderland experience in the heart of the Boulder Strip.

“This winter wonderland transformation has occurred every year for 15 years,” said Mike Garms, Sam’s Town Las Vegas’ Vice President and General Manager. “The combination of music, sparkling holiday lights, animated animals and the light show are sure to make this a magical experience for visitors and locals alike.”

The 15 minute free winter show will take place at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.

Show Review: Defemding The Caveman. By Sarah Harris.
www.accessvegas.com

“Defending The Caveman” is by far one of the funniest shows on the Las Vegas Strip. The fun starts even before the show! Stroll on into the showroom and you’ll be greeted by a caveman and a cavewoman, who will pose for pictures with you. “Defending the Caveman,” a one-man show performed by Kevin Burke, is about the inherent differences between the sexes and how we relate to one another. The show was conceived and written by comedian Rob Becker and has been performed across the country and is now being performed across the world. We’re lucky to have it here in Vegas permanently. “Defending the Caveman” holds the record for the longest running solo show on Broadway.

According to Burke, there are so many basic and primitive differences between men and women that we speak different languages, have different customs, and at times live in different worlds. Separate worlds in fact. And there’s a physical reason. While women have brains that allow us to multi-task – it’s no joke – our corpus callosums works differently. While messages go back and forth between both sides of our brains, this doesn’t occur as much in the brains of men. As a result, men can only focus on one thing at a time.

Kevin Burke takes us back to cavemen times when we had more defined roles. Men were the hunters and women were the gatherers. As a result, we had different jobs and purposes. While modern society has mixed things up a bit in our roles, we relate to each other differently. We relate to each other (men to women, women to men) in what we know and how we’d like the other person to relate to us. This is where the confusion comes in, as well as the comedy in this hilarious show. The first thing that women do when they get together, is compliment each other on how we look. Men, in Burke’s book, insult their friends upon getting together as terms of endearment. The mistake that most couples make in today’s world is thinking that when we marry that we form one gender, instead of facing the inevitable – that there are two.

Burke’s analogy of the Caveman trying to tell us something about men and women is brilliant and quite true. The way he conveys it is truly funny and entertaining. He invites us to take a look at children. Women when they’re little girls will play house, which consists of pretending to do chores. Young girls, he also observes, enjoy playing jump rope. It doesn’t occur to a girl to tie someone up with that rope.“Defending the Caveman” lets us laugh at ourselves about the ways men and women fight, and ultimately love each other. Do yourself a favor – whether you’re visiting Las Vegas or if you live here – go see

“Defending the Caveman” at Excalibur. It’s a gem of a show.
http://www.las-vegas-shows-reviews.com/defending-the-caveman-a-hilarious-look-at-the-genders/2009/09/20/

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Chuck Rounds’ Las Vegas Entertainment News. November 2009.

Providing that each of you has survived Halloween in Las Vegas, it’s the Holiday Season!! In spite of the economy, it is a Great time to be in Las Vegas–good cheer and good weather are abounding throughout the city. Convention business is bustling with several monster conventions coming into town that have a couple of hundred thousand attendees. Holiday shows are starting to appear all over the city, and Christmas lights are being added to the neon. Thanksgiving has become a major event in town. Many people are taking advantage of the long weekend and spending in extra time in Vegas, and most restaurants have Thanksgiving offerings and specials, which will rival even the finest of home cooked meals. Las Vegas wants your business and has a lot of offer. Many of the Hotels are offering outrageous deals for you to come and stay here. November is one of the best months of the year.

Tickets for the first five weekends of Garth Brooks’ concerts at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas have sold out. Tickets for his 20 confirmed concert performances went on sale on Saturday, October 24 at 8 a.m. and were completely sold by 1 p.m. The Wynn Las Vegas Web sites and phones were inundated with traffic for concert tickets the resort phone lines were able to accommodate 141,934 calls before the system reached maximum capacity and callers received a busy signal. Over the course of the morning, the Web site received more than 5.4 million page views with up to 40,000 people waiting in an online queue at any given time. Every effort was made to ensure the systems were operating at peak and processes will be examined to ensure improved performance when future concerts are placed on sale. Future Garth Brooks concert dates will be announced soon. Wynn will not tolerate unauthorized selling of concert tickets and the strict ticketing rules and policies will be enforced to the fullest extent. This will include ongoing audits to examine purchaser records and information which may result in automatic cancellation of confirmed purchases if a violation of policy is discovered.

Formed in Hawaii and perfected in showrooms throughout Las Vegas and the Islands, Society of Seven brings its lively variety show to the Gold Coast Showroom for an extended run beginning November 6. They are joined by season three American Idol finalist, Jasmine Trias. Society of Seven, the famed Hawaiian-bred group, offers an energetic variety show that combines comedy sketches, celebrity impersonations, dance and live music performances, including popular standards, Top 40 and Broadway.

The popular Las Vegas entertainer and “Concert King” of the Philippines, Martin Nievera, returns to the Suncoast Showroom for a weekend of solo performances November 13, 14 and 15. Nievera has dazzled crowds with his diverse repertoire, including his signature “On the Right Track,” Broadway medleys and his swing renditions of Michael Jackson songs. His performances at the Suncoast will showcase his distinct talents, and he plans to raise awareness about the devastation in the Philippines caused by Super Typhoon Ondoy. Earlier this year, Nievera twice shared the Suncoast Showroom stage with fellow entertainers Clint Holmes, Susan Anton and Domenick Allen in Vocal Soup-blending solo performances, duets and group numbers, and rekindling the Las Vegas tradition of entertainers coming together in an “anything can happen” atmosphere.

The longest running concert event on the Las Vegas Strip with more than 3,100 shows performed, moves to the state-of-the-art, $34 million Wyrick Theater complex. The show, which has wowed audiences for more than 10 years, combines three legendary rock and roll groups singing the hits that made them famous. The Cornell Gunter Coasters, known as the Clown Princes of Rock ‘N Roll, kick off the show with their high energy style and hit songs including “Yakkity Yak,” “Love Potion #9″ and “Charlie Brown.” The world-famous Platters, combining class, grace and more than 50 years of hits takes the stage with their timeless songs like “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Only You” and “The Great Pretender.” The marvelous Marvelettes, who had the first hit for Motown, round out the show with their precision signature choreography and hits like “Please Mr. Postman,” “Don’t Mess With Bill,” “Beechwood 45789″ and “Playboy.”

Audience favorites from the fifth season of the popular television program So You Think You Can Dance will appear live on stage at the Orleans Arena for a one-night-only event, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the So You Think You Can Dance Tour 2009. Ade Obayomi, Brandon Bryant, Evan Kasprzak, Janette Manrara, Jason Glover, Kayla Radomski, Kupono Aweau, Melissa Sandvig, Randi Evans, and America’s Favorite Dancer Jeanine Mason are the Top 10 Finalists from the hit television show, performing the hottest routines from the program, as well as original pieces created specifically for the national tour*. The dancers and their routines encompass several dance genres and styles including Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Ballroom, Tango, Broadway and Salsa, among others.

Barry Manilow’s record-setting five-year engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton will conclude on December 30, 2009. Barry Manilow began his long-term engagement with the Las Vegas Hilton in February, 2005 with “Manilow: Music and Passion.” His current show, “ULTIMATE MANILOW: The Hits,” debuted in July of 2008. By the end of the year Manilow will have performed well over 300 shows, to nearly 450,000 people with gross ticket sales of more than $70 million. “ULTIMATE MANILOW: The Hits” is packed with chart-topping music spanning his spectacular career, and gives fans an opportunity to enjoy decades of Manilow’s music and his amazing showmanship.

Opportunity Village…”The Magical Forest” opens November 21st. The Enchanted Carousel, the Forest Express Trains, live music, sweet treats, lavishly decorated trees, whimsical displays, millions of lights and visits with Santa Claus provide people of all ages with a winter wonderland each night during the holiday season. This season hold a truly magical surprise with new exciting attractions and an expanded Magical Forest that Las Vegas has never seen before. Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities by providing them with vocational training, employment and social recreation services that make their lives more productive and interesting. Once thought by society to be unemployable and unimportant in the community, people with severe disabilities are engaged, active residents who contribute to our society. Through Opportunity Village’s programs and services, hundreds of people with disabilities are learning vocational skills and being placed in jobs throughout the community.

November is a huge time for entertainment…I mean HUGE!!

The second week in November has:

Jo Dee Messina
Mandalay Bay Nov 9

All Time Low w/ We the Kings, Hey Monday & the Friday Night Boys
Mandalay Bay Nov 10

Lily Tomlin
MGM Grand Nov 10 – 18

Foreigner
Buffalo Bill’s Nov 11

Indian National Finals Rodeo
South Point Casino Nov 11 – 15

Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits
Hard Rock Hotel Nov 11 – 22

Leonard Cohen
Caesars Palace Nov 12

Neil Sedaka
Orleans Hotel Nov 12 – 15

John Fogerty
Buffalo Bill’s Nov 13

Las Vegas Mixed Martial Arts
Las Vegas Hilton Nov 13

Martin Nievera
Suncoast Hotel Nov 13 – 15

Ray Romano & Kevin James
Mirage Nov 13 – 14

Sha Na Na
South Point Nov 13 – 15

Stryper
Santa Fe Station Nov 13

Terri Clark
Silverton Hotel Nov 13

Aviation Nation
Nellis Air Force Base Nov 14 – 15

BJ Thomas
Cannery Casino Nov 14

Chelsea Handler
Caesars Palace Nov 14

Las Vegas Gun & Knife Show
Cashman Center Nov 14 – 15

Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto
MGM Grand Nov 14

Norm Macdonald
Mandalay Bay Nov 14

So You Think You Can Dance
Orleans Hotel Nov 14

The Buckinghams
Fiesta Rancho Nov 14

The Gin Blossoms
Silverton Hotel Nov 14

WoWoWee with WoWoWillie
Orleans Hotel Nov 15

Week number three brings:

2009 Senior Softball Winter Worlds
Multiple Sports Venues Nov 17 – 22
United Football League Championship Game
Sam Boyd Stadium Nov 17

Dethklok w/ Mastodon and High on Fire
Mandalay Bay Nov 18

WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting)
Palms Casino Nov 18 – 19

Café Tacuba 20th Anniversary Tour
Manalay Bay Nov 19

Cher
Caesars Palace Nov 19 – 29

David Copperfield
MGM Grand Nov 19 – Dec 2

Asleep at the Wheel
Silverton Hotel Nov 20

Bill Medley w/ Darrin & McKenna Medley
South Point Casino Nov 20 – 22

Brandon Bennett
Suncoast Hotel Nov 20 – 22

Darryl Worley
Green Valley Ranch Nov 20

Four Tops
Orleans Hotel Nov 20 – 22

Hollywood Undead and Atreyu w/ Escape the Fate and the Sleeping
Mandalay Bay Nov 20

Julio Iglesias
Las Vegas Hilton Nov 20 – 21

Kenny G
Buffalo Bill’s Nov 20

Lewis Black
Mirage Nov 20 – 21

Snowjam Ski & Snowboard Show
Cashman Center Nov 20 – 22

The Four Tops
Orleans Hotel Nov 20 – 22

The Limit – Led Zeppelin IV In It’s Entirety
Cannery Casino Nov 20

Davy Jones
Silverton Hotel Nov 21

Hiroshima
Santa Fe Station Nov 21

James Darren
Cannery Casino Nov 21

La 5a Estacion
Mandalay Bay Nov 21

Maxxis Endurocross
Orleans Hotel Nov 21

Maxxis Endurocross Finals
Orleans Hotel Nov 21

Nashville Unplugged
Green Valley Ranch Nov 21 Free

Raphael Saadiq
Mandalay Bay Nov 21

Sahra Musique
MGM Grand Nov 21

Ultimate Fighting Championship 106
Mandalay Bay Nov 21

KEM
Las Vegas Hilton Nov 22

Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament
Orleans Hotel Nov 23 – 25

The fourth week of the month (which includes Thanksgiving,) has:

Bill Cosby
Treasure Island – TI Nov 27

Circle of Love
Planet Hollywood Nov 27

David Spade Live
Venetian Resort Nov 27 – 29

Las Vegas Invitational NCAA Basketball Tournament
Orleans Hotel Nov 27 – 28

Motor Trend International Auto Show
Las Vegas Convention Center Nov 27 – 29

Papa Roach
Mandala Bay Nov 27

Patti LaBelle
Buffalo Bill’s Nov 27

The Kingston Trio
South Point Casino Nov 27 – 29

Dwight Yoakam
Buffalo Bill’s Nov 28

KISS: Alive 35
Palms Casino Nov 28

Notis Sfakianakis
Rio All-Suite Hotel Nov 28

Stevie Wonder
MGM Grand Nov 28

UNLV Football
Sam Boyd Stadium Nov 28

Vicente Fernandez
Mandalay Bay Nov 28

The Black Crowes
Mandalay Bay Nov 29

The last week in November, which includes the first weekend in December brings us:

Cher
Caesars Palace Dec 1 – 15

Bret Michaels
Buffalo Bill’s Dec 2

NASCAR Champions Week FanFest
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dec 2 FREE to $250

Bill Engvall
Treasure Island – TI Dec 3 – 4

Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational
Buffalo Bill’s Dec 3 – 6

Cowboy Christmas Gift Show 2009
Las Vegas Convention Center Dec 3 – 12 Free

Cowboy Marketplace Western Lifestyle Expo
Mandalay Bay Dec 3 – 12

Lonestar
Golden Nugget Dec 3

National Finals Rodeo
Thomas & Mack Center Dec 3 – 12

Rodney Carrington
MGM Grand Dec 3 – 12

The Cranberries
Palms Casino Dec 3

2009 NASCAR Awards Banquet
Wynn Las Vegas Dec 4

Brooks & Dunn
Las Vegas Hilton Dec 4 – 5

Clay Walker
Golden Nugget Dec 4 – 5

Equigames 2009
South Point Casino Dec 4

International Gem & Jewelry Show
Cashman Center Dec 4 – 6

Morrissey – The Swords Tour
Hard Rock Hotel Dec 4

Ray Price
Boulder Station Dec 4

Ron White
MGM Grand Dec 4 – 5

Sonny Turner “Former Lead Singer of the Platters”
Suncoast Hotel Dec 4 – 6

Tanya Tucker
Silverton Hotel Dec 4 – 5

The Fab – A Beatles Christmas
Cannery Casino Dec 4 – 5

Benny Binion’s World Famous Bucking Horse & Bull Sale
South Point Casino Dec 5 – 6

Boney James
Boulder Station Dec 5

Chickenfoot
Hard Rock Dec 5

Las Vegas Reptile Show
Cashman Center Dec 5 – 6

Metallica
Mandalay Bay Dec 5

Robin Williams
MGM Grand Dec 5

The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale
Palms Casino Dec 5

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Orleans Hotel Dec 5

WCK Full Rules Muay Thai
Buffalo Bill’s Dec 5

Willie Nelson & Family w/ Asleep at the Wheel
Planet Hollywood Dec 5

Lee Greenwood’s Tennessee Christmas
Orleans Hotel Dec 6

Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Las Vegas Strip Dec 6

The Lone Starlets
Golden Nugget Dec 6 – 9

For dates and times, be sure to log onto the Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide: ( www.lvol.com ).

I Go Shows ( www.Igoshows.com ) is, of course, the place to read the reviews of all of the shows that are in town so that you can be better informed as to what you should expect from a certain production. The reviews are updated as needed to give you the knowledge you need to spend your entertainment dollars better.

HEIDI’S PICKS: BY Heidi Knapp Rinella/LVRJ

BOUCHON
Venezia Tower at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 414-6200

It still seems as incongruous among the Italianate trappings of the Venetian as on the day it opened, but Bouchon has worn very nicely, delivering French-bistro fare that’s as authentic as it gets. Notable were a charcuterie board, the Poulet Roti (roast chicken), Triute aux Amandes (trout almondine) and the silken-sin richness of the Mousse au Chocolate Noir, which requires no translation. (7/31/09)
Overall: A $$$

DONA MARIA TAMALES
910 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 382-6538 (also at 3205 N. Tenaya Way)

Dona Maria Tamales is the real deal; if you don’t believe us, just ask some of the fans gathered for the futbol games on satellite TV. Tamales wrapped in just-dense-enough masa harina are the specialty of the house and the cheese version had a filling that was just firm enough and had just enough peppers, its tender pork counterpart with just a bit of a kick; even the beans and rice are better than we normally encounter. And on a return visit, we’d be sure not to miss the queso fundido con chorizo. (7/14/09)
Overall: B+ $$

I LOVE SUSHI
11041 S. Eastern Ave.; 990-4055

I Love Sushi is one of a growing genre of sushi restaurants that are refining and re-defining the art to be more in keeping with American tastes. To that end there’s a heavy reliance on tuna and salmon, but we’re not complaining. We liked the Joe’s Special, Sex on the Beach, the I Love Sushi Special, the Lisa Hand Roll, the John Homes Roll and the Tornado. And a vanilla mochi for dessert. And there’s teriyaki, teppanyaki and yakisoba, in case sushi’s not your thing. (4/14/09)
Overall: A $$
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/heidis-picks-eats-of-the-week-69359017.html

SHOW REVIEW: Wayne Newton. BY: Mike Weatherford.
Entertainer offers new tricks with autobiographical ‘Once Before I Go’

Newton is a unique figure in show business, and his new autobiographical showcase at the Tropicana reminds us why.

It’s titled “Once Before I Go,” and in it, old video clips reopen the door to ’60s and ’70s variety television. It was the end of the era, but only now is that so obvious.

Watching an aging and tired Dean Martin limp through an Al Jolson medley with the earnest young, feathery-haired (and powerfully singing!) Newton, you can see how some wishful parents might have thought a generational torch could be passed.

More from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/wayne-newtonnewton-offers-new-tricks-with-autobiographical-once-before-i-go-69358952.html

Vegas area adds three resorts to elite AAA list.
New additions bring number of Nevada properties on list to 13.

BY: Amanda Finnegan/Las Vegas Sun

Las Vegas is home to three more AAA Five Diamond winners, AAA Travel announced today. Nevada and Florida tied by adding three properties to the list — more than any other state.

The latest additions include The Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas, Encore Las Vegas and the Palazzo in the hotel category. Nevada now has eight Five Diamond properties, trailing only California and Florida.

Other resorts earning the coveted award are repeat winners. The list includes the Venetian, Bellagio, Skylofts at MGM Grand, Wynn Las Vegas and Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, an 11-time winner of the Five Diamond award.

The Bellagio has received the award for nine consecutive years while the Skylofts and Wynn Las Vegas both have won for the last four. The Venetian has made the list the last three years.

All of Nevada’s restaurants are repeat recipients of the Five Diamond award. The winners include Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, Picasso and Le Cirque at Bellagio, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand and Alex at Wynn Las Vegas.

November Nine in the hunt for $27 million in World Series of Poker.
BY Robin Leach/www.vegasdeluxe.com

At high noon tomorrow, nine card players will battle for the top prize of $8.5 million and split what’s left from the overall $27 million at the finals of the 40th Annual World Series of Poker. Either way, it’s not a bad payday! The showdown takes place at the Penn & Teller Theater in The Rio.

Seven of those men will be eliminated, and two will remain for Monday’s 10 p.m. head-to-head face-off to find the 2009 WSOP bracelet winner who will carry off with the $8.5 million in cash. Play at the table tomorrow will continue for as long as it takes to get down to the final two.

The runner-up receives $5.2 million, and the third-place finisher receives $3.5 million. From the fourth-place spot, the prize money eases down from $2.5 million to the $1.25 million that the first man ousted will win.

More here:
http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/blogs/luxe-life/2009/nov/06/november-nine-hunt-27-million-world-series-poker/

CityCenter Rooms Will Be High Tech. BY Rick Garman

When it opens next month, CityCenter will have some of the most advanced guestroom technology in the country at it’s Aria and Mandarin Oriental hotels, turning a simple hotel stay into something straight out of “The Jetsons.” As guests approach their room or suite, it will recognize if it is their first time in the room and “greet” them as they enter. Light will fill the room, the curtains automatically will part to showcase the city or mountain views, and the TV will turn on to display a list of automated controls for guests to personalize.

All rooms will feature one-touch control of features, including lighting, room temperature, television/video systems, music, wake-up calls, draperies and requests for services through a single, easy-to-use remote control. Each nightstand also will feature a seven-inch panel with touch-screen technology that navigates the same room settings as the remote. All settings will be remembered and incorporated every time a guest is in-room.

Having all guestroom devices on one network enables guests to select “scenes” matching their mood or preference, which modify all settings at once. For example, each room will feature a “good night” button next to the bed. With one touch, guests can turn off the lights, TV and/or music; shut the curtains; and turn on the privacy notification for the room. Similarly, guests can utilize the TV’s sleep mode to accomplish the same result on a timer.

One of the simplest, yet most exciting, features is the keyless lock system. All you have to do to get in the room is “flash” your key over the lock sensor at the door. Why is this exciting? Because they are insisting that the key cannot be demagnetized so no more worrying about having the thing too close to your credit cards or cell phone.

Each room will include a 42-inch LCD HDTV that allows guests to connect their laptop and enjoy a big-screen monitor; watch a variety of domestic and international channels in high-def; plug in video devices such as game consoles or cameras; control room automation; and enjoy their MP3 players.

The television also will serve as a communications center; when on, the TV will automatically display messages pertaining to new voicemails or package receipts and more.

Oh but they’re not stopping there. The TV will also replace the clock radio, with settings that can wake guests up gradually through controlled temperature, lighting, curtain opening and preferred music, all designed to delivering a subtle and more soothing wake-up experience than being blasted out of bed to whatever horrible radio station the person who stayed in the room before you was listening to.

All guestrooms will be networked with fiber offering one gigabit of bandwidth, delivering wireless Internet connectivity that will be up to eight times faster (128 kilobytes) than the average U.S. guestroom today.

All in-room devices also will be on the network, enabling the property to easily “communicate” with the room to perform special requests or maintenance. Whether a remote needs new batteries or a MiniBar needs replenishing, most needs can be identified and resolved before the guest is even aware.

But the high-tech stuff is not just for electronic thrills. CityCenter’s in-room technology will also offer a non-obtrusive and easy way to conserve precious resources such as energy and water.

Green settings on the room’s remote system will allow guests the opportunity to voluntarily “green their stay” by indicating their preferred light level, room temperature and frequency of linen and towel changes. Systems also can be programmed to automatically put a room into unoccupied status upon checkout – turning down or off the heating/cooling system, televisions, lights and any appliances.

The Mandarin Oriental is set to open December 4, 2009 and Aria will open on December 16, 2009.
http://vegas4visitors.com

Echelon Eschews Opening. BY Rick Garman

When Boyd Gaming announced plans to tear down The Stardust and build a $5 billion complex of hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues in its place, the grand opening date was set for early 2010. Echelon, as it was to be called, would’ve been the crown jewel in the company’s portfolio of properties that includes Downtown favorites like Main Street Station and The Fremont. But then a little thing called a global economic meltdown came along, two of the partners in the development went bankrupt, and the folks at Boyd decided that maybe it wasn’t the best time to open a $5 billion gamble in the hot Nevada desert. So they shuttered the construction site last year, leaving 87 acres of dirt, cranes, and the steel shells of what was to come.

When they did so, the party line wasn’t “we’re stopping entirely,” rather “we’re delaying for a little while.” Various date ranges were thrown around but most assumed the work would start again sometime in 2009.

Or maybe 2010.

Certainly no later than 2011.

I think you can see where this is going.

During a recent investors call, officials with Boyd Gaming announced they would not restart construction on Echelon for three to five years. For those of you still recovering from Halloween festivities that can’t possibly do math in your head, that means sometime between 2012 and 2014. And that’s just to get the work going again. It’ll take another two to three years beyond that to actually build the place.

What the place will be is also a big question mark. When originally announced, the property was going to have five hotels: a 2,300 room main hotel with a 140,000 square-foot casino; a 650 all-suite hotel; a Las Vegas branch of high-end Asian hotelier Shangri-La with 350 rooms; an 860 room Mondrian (a big name in Los Angeles); and a 550 room Delano. In addition there was going to be more than 30 restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and lounges; two theaters; and a 300,000 square-foot shopping mall.

However, the companies that were to contribute money and manage both the mall and the Mondrian and Delano hotels went bankrupt and now will not be part of Echelon when it finally opens.

That’s a problem, of course, but perhaps not as much of a problem as the fact that they started construction on a property with those things included. Many analysts believe that once Boyd is finally ready to get the project going again, they may need to radically alter what they have already put in the ground, which is only going to add more time to the project.

Do I hear 2020?

Further complicating matters is the money situation.

Boyd Gaming secured about $2 billion in credit for the project before the economy tanked. Now that money is sitting there burning a hole in their proverbial pocket and they seem eager to spend it. Boyd is lobbying hard to try to snap up several of the Stations Casinos out of bankruptcy, and if they are successful it means a big chunk of those billions will be gone. Whether or not they’ll be able to get those billions back from somewhere to be able to complete Echelon is a huge question mark.

So get used to seeing a big pile of dirt and a partially built hotel on the north end of The Strip. It’s going to be there for a long, long time.
http://vegas4visitors.com

Posted on November 6th, 2009 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter