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

Barry Manilow to debut at the Paris on Valentine’s Day.
By Robin Leach

It’s now definite — a lock, as they say in show business — that Barry Manilow will move to the Paris on the Strip right after his five-year contract with the Las Vegas Hilton ends in December.

The new deal has been signed, sealed and delivered, as they also say! Barry will open on Valentine’s Day to coincide with the release of his new album of love songs.

Here at Vegas DeLuxe, we were the first back to reveal back in the spring in a candid interview with Barry that he didn’t know if he would be renewing the Hilton contract, but he said if he didn’t, he definitely wanted to continue performing in Las Vegas. Over the months, we reported rumors as the Paris negotiations heated up that it would be Barry’s future home.

More here:
http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/blogs/luxe-life/2009/oct/27/barry-manilow-debut-paris-valentines-day/

NORM: Wynn to scalpers: Oh no you don’t.

Steve Wynn is vowing to scalp the scalpers.

With Garth Brooks tickets already going for as high as $700 on ticket broker Web sites in less than 24 hours after Saturday’s sellout of Brooks’ first five weeks — 20 performances — Wynn “has an action plan for the scalpers,” a Wynn Las Vegas spokeswoman said Sunday.

“We have a number of people mobilized to take the necessary steps to see that the scalper tickets are canceled,” said Jennifer Dunne, vice president of public relations and advertising for Wynn Resorts.

“We won’t stop until we succeed,” she said.

Brooks tickets went on sale at 8 a.m. Saturday and were sold out by 1 p.m. Theater capacity is about 1,500.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/wynn-to-scalpers-oh-no-you-dont-65968952.html

Steve’s Las Vegas Quickies:

Every Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Suncoast’s showroom, Las Vegas talent shows up for the “Hit Parade.” Admission is free.

Every Friday from 4-10 p.m. at the Emerald Island Casino, 120 Market St., the “Real” Meal Deal: for $14.99 with a players card: jumbo shrimp cocktail, filet mignon and lobster tail, served with soup or salad, choice of potato, vegetable d’jour and a hot fudge brownie with fresh whipped cream.

Hawaiian variety act Society of Seven moves into the little showroom at the Gold Coast on Nov. 6, with shows Fridays through Sundays. The veteran show band’s new female star is Jasmine Trias, the “American Idol” contestant who filled in when Lani Misalucha was on break from their previous revue at the Flamingo. Misalucha is now competition as the star of “Voices” at the Las Vegas Hilton.

On Monday, Cirque du Soleil surprised a Missouri couple attending “Mystere” with a return-trip prize package for being the company’s 30 millionth Las Vegas customer. Those kind of promotions aren’t unusual — you always wonder how they pin it down to which exact patron — but the numbers do give pause.

Daniel Boulud Brasserie to Close: The Las Vegas outpost of the star chef for whom it’s named will be closing in April of next year, when its five-year operating agreement with Wynn is up. No word yet on what will take its place.

We’re in the midst of making our monthly calls to every buffet and showroom in Las Vegas for the LVA newsletter and can confirm that the V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops has slashed the prices on all of its shows, with the exception of the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater and Amazed. Tickets for The Mentalist and Sin City Comedy are down by $20, while American Storm, Fab Four Live, Mesmerized, and V: The Ultimate Variety Show (which features Mario and Jenny, who recently made it to the latter rounds of “America’s Got Talent”) have all been cut by $10. We’ll bring you all the other news from showland in the November issue of LVA, which will be out next week.

The weekend edition of USA Today ran two Las Vegas entertainment notices. The first was a feature on the Garth Brooks deal at Encore, but there was also a small mention of Wayne Newton’s deal at the Trop.

Sandy Hackett is coming back with another “Rat Pack” reincarnation. After a falling out with the Plaza-based show, “The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey & Dean,” in which he played Joey Bishop, Hackett will open “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” next month at the Sahara, where his father, legendary funnyman Buddy Hackett, performed for years.

US Airways has announced that it will continue its downsizing with the elimination of a further 1,000 jobs by the middle of next year as it closes flight crew bases in three cities and cuts more flights, including nearly 30 more flights (half its current schedule) from its once-large Las Vegas hub.

Channel 8 Eyewitness News has just revealed that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has announced that the city’s entered into an agreement to plan a major arena for downtown Las Vegas. We’ll update you with details when we have more.

Anyone who purchased tickets for the first run of sold-out Garth Brooks shows faces some serious obstacles to actually attending the event. Those who bought tickets on October 24 was given a deadline of October 27 at 12 p.m. (PT) to supply the name of every guest in their party or risk immediate cancellation of their orders. Prior to the deadline, the resort was reaching buyers via phone calls and e-mail notices, which asked for the completion of an online ticket reservation verification form.

Even after supplying the names of all guests in a group, ticket holders will face additional challenges on the day of the show. Every member of a party must present a valid photo ID that matches their reservation in order for tickets to be tendered. IDs will be checked a second time as the ticket holders enter Encore Theater for the performance. These measures are all aimed at thwarting ticket scalpers.

The previously announced indefinite postponement of completion on Boyd’s Echelon project has now been set at between three to five years. “Given the ongoing weak economic conditions, the significant new supply coming online, and a difficult capital-market environment for projects of this nature, resuming construction in the near term is not an option,” said CEO Keith Smith today.

There’s an interesting article in the Las Vegas Sun gaming writer Liz Benston about how Vegas casinos are employing social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter to communicate with their clientele and stay atuned to customer feedback, whether positive or otherwise.

Dos Caminos at the Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, plans a Day of the Dead brunch for 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Special menu items include a slow-roasted stew of goat and fall vegetables, French toast with Mexican cinnamon and chilaquiles verdes.

Harrah’s afternoon comedy-magic headliner, Mac King has been selected to perform at this year’s 53rd Annual “It’s Magic” event on Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. The event highlights performances from the best illusionists in the world of magic and will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the legendary Magic Castle. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com.

Broadway show, “Jersey Boys,” the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, has a new award. The “Original Cast Recording” has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album won the Grammy for Best Musical Show Album in 2006 and continues to be a sales juggernaut.

The Mexican restaurant and bar Tacos & Tequila (T&T) located at the Luxor has started a Mariachi Brunch that takes place every Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The dining experience features a high-energy Mariachi band, two-for-one margaritas and “Bloody Marias,” and a variety of authentic menu selections. For information, call 702-262-5225.

Society Café Encore, the innovative American restaurant located inside Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, has been named one of the “Best New Restaurants in America” by “Esquire” magazine’s in the November 2009 issue. The eatery opens daily at 7 a.m. has signature dishes and guests start with fresh pretzel bread and house-made grainy mustard butter.

Attention all pizza lovers, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza is introducing its popular coal-fired fare to Las Vegas. The Florida-based brand has emerged into Las Vegas and is taking Sin City by storm with its crispy, coal-fired pizza and oven-roasted chicken wings. “We are pleased and proud to launch the Anthony’s brand in Las Vegas,” said Anthony Bruno, founder and CEO of Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza. “We wanted to share our food with tourists and locals alike, making Las Vegas and Town Square an obvious location for our 18th restaurant. We also believe there is a void in the city for coal cooking, and we wanted to introduce this type of pizza to the Las Vegas community,” said Bruno. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza attributes the success of its Florida locations to a combination of top-quality ingredients, authentic coal-burning ovens and personal service. Every pizza served at Anthony’s restaurants is cooked in a proprietary 800-degree, coal-burning oven that provides a “well done” flavor – the chain’s trademark.
http://reportonvegas.com

Psychic Comedian Kevin Burke is a very busy man. After finishing his performance in “Caveman” at The Excalibur he rushes over to The Firtz Hotel/Casino to do his stand-up comedy show., which has a 13 month anniversary in November. It takes alot of talent have 2 simulteous hit shows in this town, and Kevin has it. Catch either or both shows if you can-the laughs are worth it.

For weeks we’ve been talking about Norbert Aleman and his La Cage production that’s being re-invented. Jimmy Emmerson is supposed to be the newest star of this updated version. Jimmy is currently appearing in “Naked Boys Singing ”at the Onyx Theater and Commercial Center.

A new Korean restaurant “Ginseng” has opened at The Imperial Palace.

Mizuya Sushi/Saki has opened at Mandalay Bay.

Dragon Noodle Co. & Sushio Bar has opened at Monte Carlo. This place is distinguished by waitresses dressed as characters from Japanese anime cartoons.

Mandalay Bay ($35-$40 on Sundays), The Orleans ($21-$25 on Fridays) and even Circus, Circus ($20-$15 for children) are the latest casinos to add all-day buffets options.

A new burger chain from Denver plans to open 20 restaurants in Las Vegas.

MIKE WEATHERFORD: Three divas return to spotlight.

Three of Las Vegas’ more storied divas are back to work. And who knows? Maybe they could all work together.

“Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” opened Sunday at the Imperial Palace as a 10 p.m. roommate to the vocal group Human Nature. Both shows are overseen by producer Adam Steck.

Marino even says it’s a “very strong probability” that his longtime “Boy-lesque” rival, Kenny Kerr, might join the cast by February. Kerr is back in town after working in Palm Springs, Calif., and has been doing late-night sets at De Stefano’s restaurant, 3430 E. Tropicana Ave.

The third diva isn’t a cross-dresser, but a puppet. Simply known as Madame, the former Vegas headliner — now under the guiding hand of Rick Skye — returns for a cabaret benefit at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Stage Door Theatre in Town Square shopping center. The $20 tickets help Aid for AIDS of Nevada.

More from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/three-divas-return-to-spotlight-65465532.html

NORM: Regis and Kelly taping at Encore.

Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa will be warming up Garth Brooks’ new home.

“Live! With Regis & Kelly” has scheduled a four-show visit Nov. 22-23 at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas. That’s less than three weeks before Brooks’ Dec. 11 debut in the same theater.

The TV co-hosts announced the tapings during Thursday’s show.

Look for Kelly to track down the wedding chapel where she and Mark Consuelo, then co-stars on “All My Children,” got hitched here on May 1, 1996. Like a lot of newlyweds who don’t remember where they got married in Vegas, she refers to it as the “Chapel of Cheese.”

They will tape at 11 a.m. Nov. 22, a Sunday, and again at 1:30 p.m. The next day, the tapings are again at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Ticket information is at https://register.go.com/regisandkelly/tickets/index.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/regis-and-kelly-taping-at-encore-65740892.html

Heidi’s Picks By Heidi Knapp Rinella.

GOLDEN STEER STEAK HOUSE
308 W. Sahara Ave.; 384-4470

This icon of Old Las Vegas turned 50 in 2008 but hasn’t faded a bit, with red-leather U-shaped booths and other decor clearly refreshed without losing any of its period charm. We stuck to the classics with a gin martini, shrimp cocktail, tomato salad, cream of corn, Chicken of the Angels, filet mignon and tableside Cherries Jubilee and were pleased with it all. (1/25/08)
Overall: A- $$$$

OFF THE STRIP
10670 Southern Highlands Parkway; 202-2448

We were a little dubious when a reader told us that Off the Strip had really good homemade meatloaf for $10 but sure enough they did, and we liked everything else about the place as well. That would include an appetizer special of thinly sliced beef rolled around asparagus, rigatoni Bolognese with a meatball, and the oh-please-I-can’t-stand-it homemade cheesecake. Oh, and especially the service. (10/16/09)
Overall: A $$

PANNA THAI
6015 S. Fort Apache Road; 823-2345

We were a little wary of the pineapple curry with pork since it’s so easy to go overly sweet with a dish like that but we needn’t have worried, as the fruit was offset by tomato chunks and a substantial kick in the coconut-and-red-curry-based sauce. We also liked the meltingly tender garlic short ribs and the beef Sa-Te (also known as satay), and the soothing, neutral-colored atmosphere that helps this neighborhood restaurant feel like anything but. (9/12/08)
Overall: A- $$

SWITCH
Encore, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 248-3463

The unique interiors of this restaurant — yes, interiors in the plural, because the walls and ceilings periodically switch among three permutations, which is very cool — are spectacular, but don’t overshadow superlative food and flawless service. We happily recommend the risotto with champagne and Parmesan, oysters on the half shell (three from the West, three from the East), seared Arctic char, organic free-range chicken, gratin Dauphinois, creamed spinach and chocolate crunch bar. (4/10/09)
Overall: A $$$$
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/heidis-picks-65740777.html

LAX nightclub at Luxor among top spots to celebrity watch.

By John Przybys
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Every Las Vegas nightclub prides itself on the celebrities it attracts. But, even in this glittery universe, LAX at Luxor ranks as one of the most potent celebrity magnets in town.

During the past few months alone, the roster of celebs who have chosen to spend some of their precious partying time at LAX has included Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, hosting several of their Los Angeles Lakers teammates, reality TV personality Kristin Cavallari, and even Emmanuel Lewis, star of the ’80s sitcom “Webster,” hosting a retro “Way Back Wednesday” event.

The 26,000-square-foot LAX, located at Luxor, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, celebrated its second birthday on Labor Day weekend. And while the club holds about 1,500 people, its design prevents LAX from feeling too big or too cavernous.

“The great thing about LAX is that it’s a large venue, but it’s not a box and it’s not claustrophobic,” says Michael Gilmartin of Pure Management Group.

More from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/seeing-stars-65740772.html

MIKE WEATHERFORD: Madame making return to Vegas.

Some of the new stars of the Strip are Achmed the Dead Terrorist and Winston the Impersonating Turtle. It seems only fitting for Madame to stage a comeback.

Those old enough to know their disco-era camp surely remember the ribald puppet. A cross between Gloria Swanson and Phyllis Diller, Madame threw old-Hollywood savoir-faire into rimshot one-liners such as “I have very little to say about sex: ‘Yes,’ ‘When?’ and ‘Where?’ ”

The alter-ego of the late Wayland Flowers had her own syndicated sitcom, “Madame’s Place,” and headlined the Sahara and Sands in the early 1980s. Flowers had a house in Las Vegas during that era.

But Madame’s career came to a sad end.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/madame-making-return-to-vegas-65931332.html

T&T HAS THE DEADLIEST CURE FOR THE HALLOWEEN HANGOVER.

Recover from Halloween mayhem and celebrate El Dia de los Muertos – that’s The Day of the Dead for you gringos – at Tacos & Tequila (T&T) on Sunday, November 1. Take that morning walk-of-shame with pride and strut on over in last night’s costume – we won’t tell. T&T’s $1,000 Deadliest Dressed costume contest is the perfect excuse to still be wearing leftover Halloween attire. The fiesta will heat up from noon until 5 p.m. with killer brunch and drink specials and spooky entertainment.

Party-goers are invited to partake in the celebration of this ancient Mexican holiday to honor the departed with T&T’s Deadliest Dressed costume contest in which $1,000 will be awarded for the costume that best captures the Day of the Dead spirit. In addition T&T will be serving its red-hot Mariachi Brunch featuring flavorful dishes, $5 Dos Equis and two-for-one Bloody Marias and margaritas. T&T’s Dia de Los Muertos fiesta will also feature a photo booth and some lively entertainment including an airbrush tattoo artist and DJ Ernan spinning a spooky mix of rock, Latin and house beats.

T&T, the highly-stylized Mexican restaurant and bar with a fun, high-energy vibe and flavorful menu, is located inside the Luxor Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The 8,000-square-foot venue embodies Mexican culture intermixed with rock-n-roll flair with a flavorful menu created for Drive This Entertainment! by the talents of world-renowned restaurateur and chef Richard Sandoval. For more information contact T&T at 702.262.5225, or visit the web site at www.tacosandtequilalv.com

Society of Seven to Headline at Gold Coast Showroom.

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. Joined by season three American Idol finalist Jasmine Trias, Society of Seven is scheduled to appear every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with two shows daily – 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

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.

“We are thrilled to call Gold Coast home,” said Tony Ruivivar of Society of Seven. “This long-term engagement gives loyal fans who have supported us throughout the years, the opportunity to see us on a regular basis. Las Vegas is well-known among Hawaiians as the ‘Ninth Island,’ and we think our show is a great fit for the community.”

In what has been called an entertainment experience that rolls a classic Hollywood movie, Broadway show and Vegas spectacular into one, Society of Seven has been entertaining fans for more than 40 years. Having performed to more than 10 million fans, these seven elite performers and one American Idol finalist make this show a must-see.

Tickets go on sale Friday, October 30 starting from $29.95, plus tax. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 702.251.3574 or visiting www.goldcoastcasino.com.

Show Review: Blue Man Group.
By Erika Bayer-Polak. From www.accessvegas.com

It may not seem likely that a show which features three blue, mute men can provide not only live music, skillful comedy, more than a few tidbits of interesting information, and social commentary regarding contemporary issues, but it is true, and can be found in the Blue Man Group at The Venetian.

The show begins once you enter the theater, with the stylishly cool atmosphere and the sardonic yet humorous disclaimers. Before the Blue Men come out, the audience is instructed to follow a few verbal cues to get everyone in an appropriate state of mind. And, if you happen to be one of the rather late arrivals, you may end up blushing a bit.

One may well marvel at the visual and auditory aspects of the show. On top of that, the Blue Men are in fact talented percussionists and physical comedians. While there are plenty of shows that tout themselves as being family-friendly on the Strip, this is a rare gem that nearly anybody could enjoy, even if they are foreign-speaking tourists, seeing that the show is almost exclusively nonverbal.

The show is pure fun, marshmallows are made into art, messiness ensues – the first several rows are given ponchos to prevent their clothing from being splattered with paint, pudding or other such muddle – PVC tubes are turned into musical instruments, the chewing of cereal even becomes a three-part harmony. Audience participation is a necessity with such a performance, while only a couple of audience members are brought onto the stage, all audience members become involved at one point or another.

It proves difficult to describe a show with performers who don’t speak, yet at the same time, it’s easier than summarizing a tedious plot. Expect a lot of props, a moving sea of paper, curious blue men who may or may not be aliens, and sit back and enjoy, surely, you will have fun.

Show Review: Rick Thomas
By DW Grant from: www.accessvegas.com

Follow Magician Rick Thomas to the edge of his dreams just for the thrill of it. Its more fun than just another magic show. It’s a trip into a world of imagination and the very art of dreaming itself.

First there are white 500 pound tigers roaring across the stage, birds appearing as singles and doubling into pairs before your eyes, napkins turning into birds, and girls turning into tigers. It’s a classic show full of disappearing motorcycles, beautiful women being levitated and sawn in half, old silver ring tricks, and even some great card tricks. But wait, there’s more!

Suddenly the music comes up and Rick is ballroom dancing with his assistants. Wait, I thought Rick Thomas was just a magician? Well, why not dance since his mother and father spent their lives as dancers and Ballroom dance judges? Rick started his dance career at 5 and was twice crowned US Junior Ball Room champion. It’s a strange mix of two worlds, but somehow it works with the magic, like when he plops a blond wig on a microphone stand, levitates it, and waltzes ‘her’ around his dance floor.

Then he brings children into his dream world and on to the stage. A boy levitates a female assistance he has just hypnotized, and then is offered a DVD teaching him how to make is parents disappear. A little girl flies a table around the stage and then is told “The future belongs to those who believe in the strength of dreams.” Rick gives her a small round box to store the magic and her dreams in.

Oh yes, and don’t miss Rick’s “Amazing Shrinking Tiger” trick. It’s how magic should be done.

The show lasts more than a hour but really, like most great adventures, it’s over too soon. Rick tells me after the show, while greeting his guests, “The audience has to find out who I am in only an hour.” I think he accomplished that trick. Rick Thomas is a charming, classic and imaginative magician offering an original program well worth the time and the moderate price of admission demanded by the Hotel. His show is worthy of any Las Vegas theater and one you may not soon forget, especially in your dreams.

A year in, Criss Angel’s ‘Believe’ hasn’t changed much for the better.
BY: Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun

It’s time for your annual checkup, Criss Angel.

Unbelievably, Angel’s “Believe” will hit the one-year mark on Saturday. After a blizzard of hype — $100 million investment! Ten-year contract! Criss + Holly 4Ever! — the show opened at the Luxor on Halloween night 2008 to a near-unanimous chorus of boos from reviewers, including yours truly.

I was curious about how Angel and Cirque du Soleil might have changed or improved their collaboration in the intervening year, so I bought tickets (including a second seat for just $25) for Wednesday’s 7 p.m. performance.

Mr. Angel, I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news.

“Believe” now seems a bizarre, stranded artifact of a moment when some people had too much money. The show has been streamlined a bit — no live musicians, fewer aerialists and dancers, less video wizardry — but it hasn’t been improved, only diminished. Not much has changed with the overall experience of “Believe”: I got it pretty much right the first time around.

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct/26/year-angels-believe-hasnt-changed-much-better/

Imperial Palace shakes it up with vintage Elvis memorabilia.
By John Katsilometes

During a night rife with oddities, selecting the weirdest moment was a challenge. But it had to be at The King’s Ransom exhibit at Imperial Palace, a new-to-Vegas display of Elvis Presley memorabilia, ranging from the mod, blue jacket he wore in “Spinout’ to the mod, blue bottle of Mylanta plucked from one of his medication-laden medicine cabinets. I cut a corner to take a look at one of the more fascinating displays, a collection of framed photos of Elvis meeting President Nixon in December 1970.

You get lost in these photos as you observe a clearly confused, glazed-over, glassy-eyed, acutely paranoid hostage of his own success.

But Elvis, conversely, looks relatively OK.

More here:
http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/news/2009/oct/21/imperial-palace-shakes-it-little-vintage-elvis-pre/

MIKE WEATHERFORD: Fast ticket sellout proves a few points.
To paraphrase the new Michael Jackson concert movie, “This is not it.”

That’s the message Wynn Las Vegas is trying to send in the wake of the ticketing flap over the Garth Brooks comeback concerts in December.

The Wynn folk stress that the first batch of concerts are only 20 of potentially 300 shows; that Brooks plans to do 60 a year for five years. And that’s if he sticks to the minimum deal.
“Wait. Come back. There’s going to be other opportunities,” says Wynn spokeswoman Jennifer Dunne.

But the instant sellout of Brooks’ first dates, and the casino’s unprecedented attempts to thwart scalpers, proves a few things.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/fast-ticket-sellout-proves-a-few-points-67156677.html

Wayne Newton& Once Before I Go premieres tonight at Tropicana. BY Robin Leach.

It may well have been just two months of disciplined rehearsals, but it’s taken Wayne Newton 50 extraordinary years of Las Vegas show business to reach tonight’s premiere of his production Once Before I Go.

The 7 p.m. red carpet call at the Tropicana will be hosted by the casino resort’s chairman and CEO, Alex Yemenidjian, who is the godfather of Wayne’s 7-year-old daughter, as is Wayne to Alex’s children!

Expected there for the first-night celebrations will be many of Mr. Las Vegas’ former Dancing With the Stars professionals, including Cheryl Burke, Kym Johnson, Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo, along with Wheel of Fortune star Vanna White, Cheetah Girls star Sabrina Bryan, actress Jennie Garth, entertainer Louis Prima Jr., actor-comedian Drew Carey and Strip performers including Peepshow’s Holly Madison, Carrot Top, Nathan Burton, Zowie Bowie, Frank Marino and cast members from Jersey Boys, Phantom — the Las Vegas Spectacular and Peepshow.

More here:
http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/blogs/luxe-life/2009/oct/28/wayne-newtons-emonce-i-goem-premieres-tonight-trop/

Team Divas.
Drag show exudes edgy appeal.

BY: Nina King/Las Vegas Magazine

When Frank Marino ended his 25-year run earlier this year as host of a female impersonator show, getting back onstage wasn’t on his radar. He was ready to retire, to take all the vacations that he’d given up over his long career and just really relax.

For a few weeks he did just that but discovered it was harder than he’d anticipated. He found himself preparing each day for his show that night and occasionally felt at a loss when the show didn’t have to go on. And when a friend reminded Marino of a closely held dream to have his own show, “It really hit home,” Marino said. It seemed as if the time could not be more perfect to make that dream come true. “I thought, ‘Let me give it a shot.’”

Marino took all the ideas that had curled around in his mind through the years and put them into the new show, Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas. His partner, Alex Schecter, and Adam Steck of SPI Entertainment joined him in making the production come to life. But it wasn’t only his own ideas that Marino considered. “Being in a drag show for 25 years, I heard what the people were saying to me; people are very verbal when they meet you after a show.” He took their advice to heart and combined his ideas with ideas from his new cast. “I wanted it to be a collaboration.”

Wanting a younger vibe, Marino included such contemporary characters as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Beyoncé in the lineup – and six sexy male dancers. Two choreographers, Brad Barnes and Gary Thomas, were recruited to help produce numbers, resulting in a little racier, slightly risqué show. “I got the most talented group of six men I’ve ever seen perform in Las Vegas. It’s hip and modern and industrial,” Marino said.

“I can’t wait to sit on the side of the stage when I’m changing costumes and watch the numbers. Being that we let the kids have so much input in their numbers, they go out there with such pride in their numbers that it exudes from them and actually gives me energy as I go on.”

Marino, who specializes in the characters of Joan Rivers and his own femme fatale creation, acts as emcee of the show, and de facto fashion plate. As hostess with the mostess, he makes about 20 costume changes into gowns primarily designed by legend Bob Mackie, each with separate matching shoes.

Such favorites as Dolly Parton, Liza Minnelli, Madonna, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Cher, Whitney Houston and Diana Ross are also present. Some cast members had worked with Marino in the past, but many are new.

And although some shows in Vegas have seen challenges in the last year, Marino sees the entertainment scene continuing to grow and evolve and Las Vegas rebounding quicker and sooner than people think from the economic crunch.

“I believe in Las Vegas and I believe in America. I don’t believe America is ready to close.” And neither is Frank Marino.

Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas
Where:Imperial Palace
Cost: $79 and up
When: 10 p.m. Sat.-Thurs.
http://lvshowbiz.com/

The Art of Change.
Entertainer makes even complex illusions seem like child’s play.

BY: Matt Kelemen/Las Vegas Magazine

Lance Burton is a master of many illusions. He makes people vanish, doves appear and candles levitate from the stage of the Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo. He can switch places with an assistant or teleport himself to another part of the room. He can make a Corvette fl y. He has cheated the hangman’s noose onstage and escaped from handcuff s just in time to jump from the path of a roller coaster. But the most unpredictable part of his act involves inviting children onstage.

“It’s always interesting. I’ve seen all kinds of things happen during that segment,” said Burton with a laugh. “That’s where the fun comes in.”

Most of the time they are so fascinated that they line up and breathlessly await his next trick. Burton’s fascination with magic was instilled in him at age 5 when a magician pulled coins from his ears at a holiday party. He was hooked, and grew up in Louisville, Ky., mastering the art of illusion. He headed west as an adult and was off ered an eight-week gig in Las Vegas performing in the Tropicana’s Folies Bergere. By 1996 he had gained enough prestige that the owners of the new Monte Carlo lured him with a 13-year contract and a $25 million venue built to his specifications.

Burton recently signed on for six more years and continues to perform to capacity crowds. He’s consumed by dreaming up, building, rehearsing and refining new illusions, never taking his audience for granted and always giving them their money’s worth in entertainment.

“I spend more time thinking about the guy who is in there to see my show with his wife or girlfriend, his mom or kids,” Burton said. “That’s the guy that I think about because if he comes with a family of four, that’s a pretty good chunk of change.”

And there aren’t many people who can make coins appear as if by magic.

Lance Burton
Where: Monte Carlo
When: 7 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
Cost: $66.50 and up
http://lvshowbiz.com

CityCenter Will Be the Greenest in Vegas. BY Rick Garman

No, I’m not talking about the color. It’s hard to get any more green hued than the MGM Grand. Instead, I’m talking about green as in environmentally friendly. CityCenter is racking up a host of the coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications for its massive hotel, casino, and condo complex in Las Vegas. The certifications are given to buildings that are designed in such a way as to minimize the impact on the environment and provide models for sustainable development.

Among the notable achievements in the project are its own natural gas co-generation plant; water conversation technologies that will save as much as 60% of the normal usage for buildings like this; a fleet of limos powered by compressed natural gas; and slot machine bases that double as air conditioning units, allowing the cool air to rise instead of trying to force it down from the ceiling.

CityCenter is set to open in stages starting in early December with the main hotel-casino, Aria, opening on December 16.

New Year’s Eve Room Rate Report
BY: Rick Garman

For all of you out there who have wanted to go to Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve but haven’t been able to afford the sky-high prices that the hotels usually charge, there’s some good news. While the recession may be putting a crimp in your style, it’s also putting a crimp in hotel prices even for the busiest night of the year in Vegas. Now, that’s not to say that things are actually cheap. Rates at the hotels I checked are higher than normal but, in most cases, not significantly higher.

I checked about three dozen hotels in Las Vegas – not every hotel, but a good cross section of cheap to expensive, Strip to Downtown to neighborhood places. I looked at what I figured would be the typical stay – four nights checking in on Wednesday, December 30 and checking out on Sunday, January 2. So keep in mind that if you chop a day off on one end or another, the prices I have listed will be chopped accordingly. However, note that prices are different for each of the four days, with the highest rates on the 31st and 1st, so if you cut out the 30th or the 2nd, you might not be dropping the total bill by all that much.

I also took the lowest rate available, which means the most basic of room at each individual hotel. If you want something nicer or bigger, you’ll pay more.

Lastly, please note that these are just the rates and don’t include things like taxes, resort fees, booking fees, or anything else that will push these numbers higher.

Averaging less than $200 per night, the hotels with best on The Strip include Imperial Palace at $570 for the four nights; Stratosphere running about equal at $574; Excalibur just above it at $594; Luxor moving up the scale to $695; and then Ballys, Flamingo, Rio, and Monte Carlo all coming in within a buck or two of $790 for the four nights.

Get off The Strip and you can get even cheaper rooms. The Gold Coast is offering the four nights for $496; Sam’s Town is at $535; Suncoast a couple of bucks more at $540; Orleans at $580; Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas at $616; and Red Rock Resort at $780.

Moving up a step to the hotels that are keeping you under $250 a night you have Strip hotels like Treasure Island at $816; Planet Hollywood at $857: Mandalay Bay at $870; Harrah’s at $875; and MGM Grand and New York-New York both coming in at $960.

Off The Strip in this price range you’ll find Green Valley Ranch at $810 for the four nights.

Then we get into the category that we’ll call expensive to outrageous. These include Paris Las Vegas at $1020 for the four nights; Caesars Palace at $1175 for their really, really basic room; the new Aria at CityCenter at $1200 for four nights; Venetian and Palazzo both at $1276; Bellagio at $1400; and Wynn Las Vegas at $1450. The most expensive hotel I could find was Encore Las Vegas, which is offering the four nights at an average of $454 per night, or over $1800 total.

Many of the Downtown hotels are showing rooms as being sold out for at least one night during the period I checked. This includes Main Street Station, The California, and The Fremont.

Also showing a no vacancy sign is the new M Resort on the south side of town.

Many hotels are putting restrictions on December 31 check-ins and/or requiring a two-night minimum stay.

So the big question is, book now or wait? As I said there are some pretty good rates here. $870 for four nights at Mandalay Bay is a great deal. Ditto the $816 at Treasure Island.

But my gut is telling me that room rates will come down as we get closer to the holiday. I think if you wait until next month you’ll probably see some softening in prices.

However, for those who like to play it safe, you can always book one of these rates provided they allow you to cancel the reservation with no penalty. Once you have your room secured, keep checking the rates and if you find a better one and the hotel you booked or another, simply cancel your existing reservation and make a new one.

The best way to book these days is through the website of each individual hotel. You can get there by clicking on the hotel name in the paragraphs above, which will take you to the Vegas4Visitors.com page and then click on the “website” link just under the hotel’s street address and phone number.
http://vegas4visitors.com

Gambling 101
By Rick Garman

I know, most of you who read this column are probably very familiar with the ins and outs of casino gambling. Perhaps too familiar!

But every now and then I think it’s interesting to go back to basics so what follows are a few facts that you should keep in mind before heading in to any casino with cash in hand. Most of this is specific to Las Vegas but a lot of it applies to casino gambling anywhere in the US.

Most Las Vegas casinos are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a week.

You must be 21 to even enter the gaming area much less play the games. If you look young, be sure to carry some form of identification such as a driver’s license or passport because casino personnel may ask you to prove you’re old enough to be there.

There are cameras, security, and undercover operatives that watch every square inch of the casino at all times. Don’t even think about trying to cheat – you’ll get caught and you will go to jail.

Be sure to pay attention to limits on table games, slots, and video poker. If you mess up and wind up betting more or less than you could’ve or should’ve the casino isn’t going to listen to a “but I didn’t mean to…”

Most casinos offer free or heavily discounted drinks to people playing the games including slot machines. Cocktail waitresses abound in most casinos but remember, they live off your tips so be generous, especially if the drink is free.

Most casinos offer free gaming lessons on the various card and table games. Check with the main casino cage or the guest services counter of any casino/hotel for schedules. These gaming lessons can be valuable in more ways than one. In addition to the knowledge you’ll acquire, many casinos offer discount coupon books to people who take the time to learn how to play the games.

Most casinos make it really easy to get money. Again, laws vary from state to state, but most have automated teller machines (ATM), check cashing, and systems to take cash advances from your credit cards. My recommendation is to leave your bank cards, credit cards, and check books at home and only bring as much money as you’re willing to lose – most of the time, you will.

There are several ways to get change and chips in a casino. Most have attendants walking around that can “break” large bills or there are change booths sprinkled throughout. Most also offer automatic bill “breakers” which will give you change for large bills. Gaming chips can be purchased at any table or the main cashier cage (ask an attendant where it is) and usually redeemed at the cashier cage only.
Always remember that gambling should not be looked at as a way to make money! Most of the time, you won’t. If you view the slots and table games as a form of entertainment you’ll have a much better time (and will probably lose less money).

Most casinos have gaming (slot/player) clubs where you earn points toward meals, shows, or rooms by gambling in their casino. You have to give away some of your personal information (like address and perhaps e-mail) but that junk mail you get can get you some deep discounts on future visits.

Most casinos will offer perks if you’re dropping a lot of money at their tables or slots. Make sure somebody sees you spending money and then casually ask if their show is any good or which restaurant is best. It’s not a guarantee but often they’ll give you discount coupons or freebies just to keep you happy and gambling.

Fright Night.
Clubs, casinos, other attractions undergo haunted makeovers for Halloween tricks, treats.

By Mike Weatherford
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

They’ve been working to be lurking.

“Am I ready to fire fog? … Can we get the supercreatures on please?” Jason Egan asks on his radio as he strolls the Circus Circus Adventuredome during its quick hour’s nightly conversion to Frightdome.

The sun fades through the pink translucent walls of the domed amusement park, and a giant mechanical reaper rises to overshadow the happy-faced kiddy train.

As the fog rolls in, the monsters come out — or in, really, since most of the 170 actors and crew have been reading or chatting after bloodying themselves in the staging tent just behind the dome.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/fright-night-67505972.html

HEIDI’S PICKS by Heidi Knapp Rinellas/LVRJ

COMPANY RESTAURANT AND PUB HOUSE
Luxor, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 262-4852

We think of Company’s fare as starter food — there’s no culinary ground broken here, and nothing that would shock the palate — but it’s well-prepared, kind of comforting food served by a friendly staff. Worth trying: the fried mashed-potato sticks, Pig & Peas Mac & Cheese, miso-glazed eggplant and roasted chicken breast. (10/23/09)
Overall: B $$

HAVANA GRILL
8878 S. Eastern Ave.; 932-9310

If you like Cuban food you’re no doubt familiar with the Florida Cafe, and this younger sister also showcases the cuisine at its best. We liked it all, which included tostones — twice-cooked green plantain — topped with Ropa Vieja, Picadillo and shrimp (no, not together), Lechon Asado, Vaca Frita, the stacked flan and tres leches dessert tower called Riquimbin — even good fresh Cuban bread, buttered and warmed in a press. (3/27/09)
Overall: A- $$

RAKU
5030 W. Spring Mountain Road; 367-3511

We have two words of advice if you go to Raku: agedashi tofu — or fried tofu to you and us. Forget all of the bad-tofu propaganda you’ve heard; this stuff is homemade, and when it’s fried it gets lightly crunchy on the outside but remains creamy within. In a bath of extra-smoky miso soup with dried seaweed, tiny mushroom caps and salmon roe, it’s da bomb. Also noteworthy: asparagus crispy tempura, crispy fried shrimp, beef tataki and brown-sugar bubbly pudding. (7/3/09)
Overall: A $$

TABLE 10
Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 607-6363

Emeril Lagasse works his magic again at Table 10, an affectionate nod to the table in his first New Orleans restaurant where planning for the restaurant was done and the staff gathered after the opening. It’s a cruise through the world’s best cuisines and one that’s well worth it, especially in the case of the marinated goat cheese, Tartare Trio, Pasta Jambalaya and Kurobuta pork loin. (9/19/08)
Overall: A $$$$
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/heidis-picks-67506067.html

Brett’s Vegas Views by Jackie Brett.

THE LAS VEGAS ROCK AND ROLL GAMESHOW PREMIERS AT FOUR QUEENS

“The Las Vegas Rock and Roll Gameshow,” Las Vegas’ newest type of interactive show featuring live music, comedy and heavy audience interaction will play four premier dates at the Four Queens, Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $14.95 AND $29.95, call 702-385-4011 between 3-10 p.m. on the day of the show.

Singer-songwriter Stevenson Brooks plays acoustic guitar and interacts with the audience, while Matthew Phillips, who has called Las Vegas home since 1991, is a professional host, with a background in comedy and improv. The show asks patrons to participate in games like “Name That Tune or Artist,” “Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” “Sexiest Dance,” “Laz-y-oke,” “Keep the beat,” to win prizes such as free shots, Las Vegas souvenirs, 1 million Smurf Dollars, etc.

NOVEMBER WILL FEATURE VARIED EVENTSVince Neil’s 5th Annual “Off The Strip Poker Tournament” will be held at the Rio in the casino on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. to benefit the Skylar Neil Foundation. Players can register at the main casino cage starting at 4 p.m. on the day of the No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament. Participants will vie for a cash prize pool of $50,000. The tournament buy-in is $500 plus a $50 registration fee, and seating is limited to the first 200 entrants. A cocktail reception for players and celebrities will take place at 6 p.m., and a live charity auction will be held prior to play. A silent auction will be held throughout the event and give the public the chance to bid on a collection of music, sports and movie memorabilia.

On Sunday, Nov. 8, at noon, a host of top-ranked Major League Eaters (MLE), including No. 1-ranked Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, will meet at Martorano’s inside the Rio for the first Martorano’s Masters Meatball Eating Championship. The winner of the 10-minute contest will be distinguished as a world meatball-eating champion and take home the lion’s share of a $3,000 cash purse.

THE KING’S RANSOM MUSEUM EXHIBIT WILL OPEN AT IMPERIAL PALACE

The King’s Ransom Museum, an exhibit of Elvis Presley artifacts and priceless personal treasures, will open at the Imperial Palace on Oct. 21. The multi-million dollar collection will be on display in Las Vegas for the first time on the third floor in the Imperial Palace’s Royal Halls. The exhibit will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until April 2010. Admission will be $10, call 888-777-7664.

Objects being showcased will be from Elvis’ personal life and his acting and singing careers. Items will include: Elvis’ 1977 Lincoln Continental, clothing and wardrobe, jewelry, guns, badges, personal artifacts from Graceland and a lot more memorabilia.
PARIS LAS VEGAS PREPARES FOR 3RD ANNUAL WINE CELEBRATION

Paris Las Vegas has announced the return of the annual Beaujolais Nouveau celebration and uncorked a room package with tastings and special events for the ultimate wine enthusiast. As regulated by French law, Beaujolais Nouveau is released no sooner than the third Thursday in November – six weeks after the grapes are harvested, this wine is ready to drink. Huge celebrations take place worldwide at one minute after midnight to taste the latest wine of the harvest, with 65 million bottles to be consumed in the following months.

The Beaujolais Nouveau package is available Nov. 18 – 22 and can be booked online at www.parislasvegas.com/wine.

It’s definite: Garth Brooks confirms Las Vegas residency.
BY: Robin Leach/www.vegasdeluxe.com

Congratulations to Steve for the coup! The shows, which should sell out by this weekend, will be a tremendous tourism boost to the Strip.
http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/blogs/luxe-life/2009/oct/15/its-definite-garth-brooks-confirms-las-vegas-resid/

Garth Brooks to play acoustic concerts in 1,500-seat Encore Theatre.

MANILOW CONTRACT ENDS AT LAS VEGAS HILTON.

Barry Manilow's record-setting five-year engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton will conclude on December 30, 2009. 

Steve's Las Vegas Quickies:

Good news, bad news about Lotus of Siam, the ultra-popular Thai restaurant in the Commercial Mall off East Sahara. First the bad: It's closing after Thanksgiving. The good news: The closure is only for three weeks, for an expansion.

Andrew "Dice" Clay must have been happy with his last run at the Riviera, because he signed up for more. The Dice Man will be back in the room long occupied by "La Cage" starting Monday and running through Oct. 25. Then he returns Nov. 4-5, 7-9 and 11-15.

Erich Bergen, on the rebound after being dismissed from the Las Vegas "Jersey Boys," has landed a three-episode gig on the hit TV show "Gossip Girl," including scenes in first episode with Lady Gaga and Hilary Duff. That according to Steve Friess of VegasHappensHere.com.

Deadly Seven, the local all-girl punk band made up of ex-Vegas showgirls, have caught the interest of U.K producer Steve Brown, who produced Sir Elton John, Freddy Mercury of Queen, George Michaels and rock gods The Cult. Branden Powers, the creator-manager, is having talks today with Cleopatra Records. Deadly Seven is booked for Halloween Eve at Diablo's, at the Monte Carlo.

The last guitar Elvis Presley played in Las Vegas brought $106,200 at a California auction Friday. Elvis played the Martin D-28 model during a performance at the Las Vegas Hilton in December 1976 and gave it to his bodyguard, Sam Thompson, in January 1977. Presley died eight months later. An illuminating glove worn by Michael Jackson during his 1984 Victory Tour, fetched $70,800.

Comedian Bobby Slayton left the Tropicana at the end of September. He had a contract until May. He's shooting a Showtime special next month.

It was more than the music that scored in the recent run of Cheap Trick shows at the Las Vegas Hilton for Sgt. Pepper Live. Producer Bill Edwards and the rockers donated $20,000 from booming ticket sales to support the emergency health and human service and addiction recovery programs of MusiCares and the music education programs of the Grammy Foundation. A portion of every ticket sold during the Hilton run was donated to these nonprofits of The Recording Academy.

*Spooky, sickly celebrations start tonight at Fremont Street Experience and run through month’s end. The OktoberFrightFest features Binion’s Haunted Casino, Sexy & Dangerous Mario & Jenny from America’s Got Talent and master illusionist Jan Rouven. The German magician will perform his death-defying illusions each night.

Tony Sacca, longtime syndicated TV producer and host, is adding restaurateur to his title. He's putting a Las Vegas history-themed restaurant into Neonopolis, with a December opening.

Sacca will partner with his girlfriend, French chef Josette LeBlond, who will be closing Josette's Bistro to merge with the Las Vegas Rocks Café, after the song Sacca wrote and sang four years ago.

Jim Rees, co-owner of Hash House A Go Go, has been named Nevada Restaurateur of the Year by the Nevada Restaurant Association. The award goes to an individual who administers an excellent restaurant business and also helps the community and overall advances the culinary industry.

Animal trainer Gregory Popovich of the Comedy Pet Theater is being featured in a one-hour ABC special Sunday called "Tales for Pet Lovers." His first book, "You CAN Train Your Cat," is coming out this week.

The second annual Vegas Podcast-a-Palooza is from 4-6 p.m. Saturday at the Palms in The Gossy Room, formerly The Lounge. There will be a roundtable and Q-and-A session, along with 30-minute podcasts. Information at VegasPodcastaPalooza.Com.

Comedian Frank Caliendo and his cast of characters launched a 10-year deal at the Monte Carlo this week. His John Madden impressions delight everyone, but Madden. Caliendo performs at 9:30 p.m. on Monday-Tuesday and Friday-Saturday. Tickets start at $59 and can be purchased by calling (702) 730-7160 or by visiting www.montecarlo.com.

Bingo players can celebrate Halloween at the Plaza's $10,000 Bingo Spooktacular at 10 a.m. Oct. 31 There will be 15 games with a total prize pool of $10,000. Buy in is $30, extra packs are $10, and all participants receive $30 in free play and a free dauber. Seating is limited, so contact the Plaza bingo room to make a reservation.

Society Cafe at Encore, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South, offers a tailgating menu during Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon and night and Monday night games. It includes mac 'n' cheese bites with truffle dipping sauce and more.

Following the trend for celebrity-owned businesses in town (Vince Neil's tattoo studios and now Feelgood's rock lounge, for example), comes word that two other rockers will be opening their own joint. Jerry Cantrell of Alice and Chains and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian plan to launch "Dead Man's Hand," a live-music venue, next month. The venue, which will have a capacity of approximately 200 and is located next door to The Playground, home to the Rock Room, and will showcase live bands and DJs.

The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has transitioned to the fall display, which features autumnal colors, a 35-foot-tall cider mill, 13-foot scarecrow, a 10-foot-tall mythical tree made of recycled paper and wood. The exhibit is free to the public and will be on display through November 28th.

MIKE WEATHERFORD: New Hard Rock Cafe adds to live music scene.

The new Hard Rock Cafe brings a new entertainment venue to the Strip, but it's more modest than the big Joint most Las Vegans associate with the Hard Rock name.

NORM: Goodman to land on 'Planet Holly'

He also mentioned that he will be narrating another reality show about Vegas.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/goodman-to-land-on-planet-holly-63835742.html

HEIDI'S PICKS By Heidi Knapp Rinella/LVRJ

SHOW REVIEW: Mystery key to entertainment value of Strip's mentalism shows. BY Mike Weatherford/LVRJ

Upcoming Las Vegas Entertainment

SHOW REVIEW: "A Bronx Tale"
'Tale' of Two Cities: Palminteri's touching, funny 'Bronx' a good fit in Las Vegas.

WOBBLY FINALE BY Norm Clarke/LVRJ

Exit surveys were very high, in the 90s, I'm told. With some shoring up, it could be a Strip surprise.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/tv-stations-swept-up-by-complaints-63955362.html

Infinite Imagination.
Cirque du Soleil submerges the senses with sensational production.
BY: Kiko Miyasato/Las Vegas Magazine

Signed, Sealed and Delivered.
Human Nature: BY: Jack Houston/Las Vegas Magazine

LBS: A Burger Joint adds the Spicy, 6 layer "Extreme Burger" to the menu. 

Do you need your spicy fix? LBS: A Burger Joint is adding the belly-busting “Extreme Burger” to the menu. The $30 burger comes with a twist – if you can finish it within an hour, along with the pound of French fries that accompany it, the meal is free!

About LBS: A Burger Joint:
LBS: A Burger Joint serves up gourmet burgers, without gourmet attitude. With its all-natural, gourmet burgers and a beer selection of more than 40 microbrew blends, LBS is a modern take on the classic American burger joint. With organic ingredients, original recipes and unparalleled guest service, LBS creates the best burger experience in Las Vegas. Using only hormone-free Hereford beef and organic turkey, house-made sauces, farm fresh, all-natural vegetables, and hand crafted buns, LBS is committed to culinary excellence. With its rugged brick, wood and leather accents, and brushed steel details, the interior of the restaurant creates a retro-cool vibe of the quintessential American roadhouse. The restaurant features a 40’ bar, a hand-blown glass steer head and Old Glory made up of more than 3,500 metal license plates. Located at the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, open daily, 11a-11p. Visit www.lbsburger.com or call 702.835.9393.

Imperial Palace Welcomes Elvis Exhibit 'THE KING'S RANSOM MUSEUM' Oct. 21.

Imperial Palace Las Vegas welcomes The King’s Ransom Museum, a one of a kind exhibit of Elvis Presley artifacts and priceless personal treasures, on Oct. 21, 2009. This multi-million dollar collection is on display for the first time ever in Las Vegas, the very city where The King set up court and reigned supreme in the 1970’s.

The King’s Ransom Museum provides an exciting opportunity for fans to get a rare glimpse into the life and career of one of the world’s greatest entertainers, Elvis Presley. Showcasing pieces from both Elvis’ personal life and his acting and singing careers, The King’s Ransom Museum is truly unlike any other exhibit. Items include: Elvis’ 1977 Lincoln Continental, stage and film wardrobe, personal clothing items, jewelry, guns, badges and a variety of Elvis’ law enforcement objects, personal artifacts from his Graceland home including the Bible that was on his nightstand when he passed away and many more items encompassing Elvis’ life and career from the 1950’s through the 1970’s.

The King’s Ransom Museum is located in the Imperial Palace’s Royal Halls, on the third floor of the casino. The exhibit is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and admission is $10. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at www.imperialpalace.com. The King’s Ransom Museum is scheduled to remain at Imperial Palace until April 2010. For more information, visit www.imperialpalace.com, www.thekingsransom.com or call 1-888-777-7664.

T&T SPICES UP SUNDAYS WITH RED-HOT MARIACHI BRUNCH.

WORLD'S LARGEST BALLOON CELEBRATES MAIDEN VOYAGE ABOVE LAS VEGAS STRIP.

The world’s largest helium-filled, land-tethered balloon, Cloud Nine, officially launched today, taking its first passengers 500 feet above the Las Vegas Strip. The balloon, developed by Cloud Nine Entertainment, is the newest attraction on the Las Vegas Strip, offering Las Vegas locals and visitors breathtaking views of the Las Vegas skyline.

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is set to open in Las Vegas.
from:www.accessvegas.com

"FRANK MARINO'S DIVAS LAS VEGAS" Opens at Imperial Palace Oct. 17.

Imperial Palace is pleased to announce that “Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” recently signed a one-year contract to deliver dynamic performances six nights a week at 10 p.m. in the Imperial Theater starting Oct. 17.

Presented by comedic icon and Strip headliner of more than 25 years, Frank Marino, Divas Las Vegas is a 75-minute energetic and over-the-top production featuring 16 male, lady look-alikes impersonating some of music and entertainment’s  biggest superstars including Cher, Beyonce, Diana Ross, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Tina Turner. Marino acts as the emcee for the production, portraying Joan Rivers and in a variety of her more infamous styles of decades past.

“I am so excited to be working at the Imperial Palace and to be a part of the Harrah’s family. After all doesn't every Queen need a Palace to call home?” said Marino.

Marino’s “Queens” will be decked out in flamboyant and fabulous costumes by world-renowned wardrobe designer Bob Mackie. Mackie is most famous for designing clothing and costumes for Cher, but has also created masterpieces for an impressive roster of A-list celebrities including Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Steve Martin.

Each of the 16 acts is set to a high-energy music medley appropriate to the individual performer. Hollywood’s top set designer Andy Walmsley (creator of sets for American Idol, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire) is creating an all-new custom set that will be unveiled at the Imperial Palace in early 2010. Six of Sin City’s most electrifying back up dancers round out the on-stage spectacle of “Divas Las Vegas”

“Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” is co-produced by Adam Steck, CEO of SPI Entertainment. Steck also produces the hit Motown tribute show, “Smokey Robinson Presents: Australia’s Human Nature – The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound” at the Imperial Palace.

“I'm thrilled to join with Las Vegas entertainment icon Frank Marino in co-producing one of the biggest and best drag shows of its kind," said Steck.

Marino is an accomplished author, newscaster, columnist and spokesperson and often refers to himself as “America’s Favorite Male Actress.”  In Marino’s 25 years of show business, he has performed for more than ten million people and in 2005 Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman declared Feb. 1  “Frank Marino Day.”

“Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” performs six nights a week (Dark Fridays) at 10 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices are $69 (plus tax & fees) and VIP $79 (plus tax & fees) and are available at the Imperial Palace box office, online at www.imperialpalace.com or by calling (888) 777-7664. For more information on Frank Marino visit www.frankmarino.com. All guests attending “Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” must be 18 years or older.

ITALIAN FESTIVAL AT THE M RESORT SPA CASINO THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY.

October News from MGM MIRAGE 

 Did you know…

Hunger doesn’t need to be a ‘Last Resort?’
Dick’s Last Resort at Excalibur now offers a lunchtime take-out menu. 
Guests can choose one of three dining options and have them ready to go in 10 minutes or less.  Priced at $10, they include Dick’s Big Burger, Dick’s Wrap or Chicky Wings or Fingers. 

The value meal deal is available daily.

Heidi's Picks by Heidi Knapp Rinella/LVRJ

CREATE
7290 W. Lake Mead Blvd.; 586-0430

Planet Hollywood's 'America's Got Talent Live!' a fractured variety show.
By Mike Weatherford/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

October 11, 2009 Vegas Values Report
http://americancasinoguide.com/information/vegas-values/october-11-2009-vegas-values-report.shtml

CityCenter Condos Cost Cut
BY Rick Garman

In yet another sign that the economic conditions in Las Vegas are nowhere near to recovering, MGM Mirage has announced plans to drop the prices of more than 2,000 condominium units in three different buildings at CityCenter. How much of a cut? How does 30% sound?

Brett's Vegas Views by Jackie Brett