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  • Whew — Glad I Didn’t Invest in Newport Lofts in Downtown Las Vegas!

    Posted on July 31st, 2009 LVE No comments

    In episode 65 of the Living in Las Vegas Podcast, we did a show title, “Living the Loft Lifestyle in Las Vegas”.  In it, we featured three loft projects in the Las Vegas valley, one of which was Newport Lofts.  For those who remember the show, I was pretty impressed by the property.

    Good thing I wasn’t too impressed.

    At the time of the episode (February 2009), their entry-level studio loft (at about 912 square feet) was being offered at $199,000. . .which seemed reasonable considering they were once priced MUCH (2x I believe) higher.  I thought so highly of the Newport Lofts that I seriously considered purchasing one as a business investment.

    Good thing I didn’t pull out my checkbook.

    When I checked back with the website about two or so weeks after the show, the price for that studio loft had dropped an additional $20,000.  In two weeks.  And while that was psuedo-good news, it spooked me a bit as well- - -enough so that I decided against moving forward.  (There were other reasons as well, to be sure.  But the price dropping that much seemed a bit ominous.)

    Good thing I spook easily.

    I just saw today that 20 units (out of a total of 168) are being auctioned off, with a starting “reserve” price of. . .get this. . $90,000.  Can you imagine if you had invested in that property in February. . .or before?!? 

    Yikes.

    I wish I knew more about real estate and how to truly measure the soundness of a property like Newport Lofts.  Truth is, the potential of that property, with its amenities and location, seems very good.  But clearly, there’s more to it than that.

    For those interested in the auction, here’s their flyer announcing the event [pdf].  It’s being help on August 29, 2009 at 3PM at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel.  (Wonder why they wouldn’t have the auction at the Newport Lofts?)

    If I owned that entire property, I would look into converting it (or allowing for) commercial activity.  They would have to address the parking issue, but with those types of prices, imagine how quickly small business folks would snap those properties up.  It would great for artist/creative folks. . .and others as well.

    Regardless, I sure hope this property makes it.  It’s beautiful and very well situated, just a few blocks south of Fremont street. 

    Blog Post, Lofts, real-estate , , , , , , ,

  • Everything Las Vegas: Issue # 703/July 31st, 2009

    Posted on July 31st, 2009 LVE No comments

    Donny & Marie extend Las Vegas contract:Brother-sister duo to play at Flamingo through October 2012. From The Las Vegas Sun.

    Harrah's Entertainment Inc.'s Flamingo Las Vegas today announced the brother-sister duo Donny & Marie have extended their headliner contract for an additional two years, through October 2012.

    Donny & Marie opened at the center-Strip property on Sept. 9, 2008.

    "Donny & Marie are amazing professionals who come to work every night and really leave it all on stage, which is why they continue to be the hottest ticket in town a year after opening," Don Marrandino, president of Flamingo Las Vegas, said in a statement. "They have recreated the magic of legendary performers on the Strip with their incredible talent and we are thrilled to have them as our headliners for at least the next three years."

    More here:

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/30/donny-marie-contract-extended-two-years/

    CONGRATS, LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas is no longer one of the 'meanest cities' in the U.S.

    Report praises new homeless program.
    By LYNNETTE CURTIS/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

    CONGRATS, LAS VEGAS:

    YOU'RE NOT QUITE AS MEAN AS YOU USED TO BE.

    Long a fixture at or near the top of a list of "meanest cities" in the country for its treatment of homeless people, Las Vegas didn't make this year's list compiled by national advocacy groups.

    The city was upstaged in meanness by the likes of Los Angeles, which spent more money in 2007 on extra police officers to patrol Skid Row than on services for the homeless, according to a report that accompanied this month's rankings.

    Other cities receiving top-of-the-list dishonors, mainly for passing laws that target the homeless, included St. Petersburg, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; and Atlanta.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/news/52169172.html

    Steve's Las Vegas Quickies:

    The Burger Joint has opened at the Flamingo Las Vegas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South, with such options as a salmon burger with cucumber-dill relish and sour cream, plus an endless variety of design-your-own burgers. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. Call 733-3333.

    Rock trio Crosby, Stills & Nash play poolside at the M Resort on Sept. 24. Tickets are $88 and are already on sale at the M Resort iMagine Rewards Center, 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab at The Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South, has introduced a Classic Dinner Menu, available beginning at 5 p.m. daily. Options are six stone-crab claws with hashed-brown potatoes, creamed spinach and Key lime pie, or a 12-ounce filet mignon with mashed potatoes, grilled tomato and banana cream pie, for $37.95 per person.
    The buffet at the Plaza, 1 Main St., has been reborn as Stuffed, with a greater variety of dishes. Specialty nights are New York steak and snow-crab legs, Mondays; Southern-fried Tuesdays; New York steak and shrimp scampi, Wednesdays; ribs, Thursdays; seafood, Fridays; prime rib and baked-potato bar, Saturdays; and peel-and-eat shrimp, Sundays. Prices are $7.77 for breakfast and lunch (6 to 11 a.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, respectively), $9.99 for champagne brunch (6 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekends), $12.99 for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and $15.99 for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
    Andre's at the Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Alize at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, are offering a $45 three-course prix fixe menu, with entrees including a 10-ounce Prime rib-eye, free-range chicken and sauteed salmon, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and 9 to 10 p.m. daily.
    Before anyone really knew it was there, "Rockstar: The Tribute," already is a goner at the Steve Wyrick Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. One disgruntled father says his daughter and other local teens weren't paid for distributing fliers for the show around town.
    Wolfgang Puck's Chinois, which opened in the Forum Shops at Caesars in the mid-1990s, is no longer operating as a restaurant. It was closed Friday but was used for a wedding banquet Saturday.
    The Rio decided to indefinitely close its adult-themed Sapphire Pool after it failed an "integrity check" by Metro police on Saturday, the property's owner confirmed late Tuesday.

    Harrah's Entertainment, which owns the Rio, asks the police to conduct periodic integrity checks on its nightclubs, pools and other amenities to make sure they are operating within the law.

    The company would not discuss what was found on Saturday during the police inspection.

    "Country Superstars Tribute," which closed in Fitzgeralds' tiny downtown cabaret at the end of June. It ran for nearly 600 performances, but the large cast and live band was out of proportion to the lounge-size venue.

    The costumed impersonators reopen July 30 in the 700-seat showroom in Whiskey Pete's at Primm.

    Mayor Oscar Goodman celebrates his 70th birthday Friday under the canopy of the Fremont Street Experience, from 7-10 p.m. at the First Street Stage. A group birthday photo is planned for posterity. His memory is a little fuzzy on what he did 40 years ago on his birthday, when he was a rising mob attorney in Las Vegas, but he's narrowed it down to taking in either Elvis' comeback at The International (now the Las Vegas Hilton) or Judy Garland's concert. It was Elvis' first stage appearance in eight years, and he opened with his big hit "Blue Suede Shoes."
    Hypnotist Anthony Cools is assured by a four-year contract extension that he doesn't have to keep his show portable. He has made further improvements to his Paris Las Vegas venue, which started out as a tour and travel lobby. And he's the first live act to jump in on the revived 3-D craze in movies. A 41/2-minute 3-D film to open the show has its official debut today.
    The Tropicana is filling up with more shows, even as a face-lift takes many rooms offline for remodeling.

    The former Comedy Stop, now anchored by comedian Bobby Slayton, eventually will host four more titles, says Anthony Cools, who is overseeing the room. He's ready to talk about two:

    Impressionist Rich Natole will move from the Harmon Theatre to anchor the 2 p.m. slot starting Aug. 1. Penny Lane, a Beatles tribute focusing more on the group's early rock years, will follow at 4 p.m. starting Aug. 3. Penny Lane is produced by hypnotist Cools, but Natole will lease his space.

    Cools says he won't depend on Tropicana room guests, but will draw from outside. He doesn't think the diverse lineup will step on each other's toes. "They're such different draws."

    Society Cafe Encore at the Encore, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South, has introduced a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays, with tapas priced at less than $9 (examples are mac 'n' cheese bites with truffle dipping sauce, or grilled pepperoni flatbread) and two-for-one mojitos.
    “Shear Madness,” the interactive murder mystery at Town Square, calls itself “America’s longest-running comedy.” That may be true in Boston and Washington, D.C., where the show is still running after more than 20 years.

    But the Las Vegas franchise of the farce, which opened in May at a custom-built 300-seat theater in the shopping center, is turning out the lights after just 11 weeks.

    Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee, who performs at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Casino on the Strip, was eBay’s high bidder this week for a ring designed by Elvis Presley.

    It’s a heavy gold and diamond encrusted ring designed by Elvis for his close friend Marty Lacker, a former member of the Memphis Mafia and best man at Elvis’ wedding. The ring was made by Memphis jeweler Harry Levitch, who also created the wedding ring for Elvis’ bride, Priscilla.

    Vallee paid $2,500 for the ring. He says he will use the ring as his wedding band for his 2010 wedding to fiancé Amanda Lasham.

    Singer Mariah Carey, the most successful female recording artist in history with more than 175 million albums sold worldwide, will perform four shows at The Pearl in the Palms. Hotel mogul George Maloof pulled off the incredible coup as Beyonce arrives in town for four shows starting tonight, and the official news of Mariah’s concert dates was confirmed within the past hour.

    Mariah will appear in the up close and personal, once-in-a-lifetime concerts Sept. 11-12 and Oct. 9-10. Tickets are $129 to $254 and will go on sale Aug. 8.

    If you play in The Excaliburs Friday Night, Ladies Night Poker Tournament, you will get a free ticket to Thunder From Down Under.
    O'Shea's has a ticket double promo going. You can get one ticket to Mental and one ticket to Freaks for only $43.96.
    Paco's has closed at The Sahara.
    Monte Carlo's Brewpub, the first of its kind in Las Vegas has clsoed.
    Pink's Hot Dogs will be opening soon at Planet Hollywood. They were open at The Aladdin for a while.
    First Food & Bar has opened at Palazzo.
    The first Krug Room in the U.S. has opened inside Guy Savoy at Caesar's Palace.
    Palace Station is the latest to offer an all-day buffet for $19.95.
    Check out the Bikini Brunch at The Hard Rock Hotel. It's $50 bucks and it's all-inclusive.
    Vince Neil Ink has opened a new venue in Las Vegas. The new studio on the second floor of the Rio (by the VooDoo Lounge entrance) is the Mötley Crüe frontman's second Las Vegas location, the original store (which remains open) being inside O'Shea's casino on the Strip. It's open from 10 a.m.-1 a.m. daily. (Calls to the Rio indicated that they don't know VNI is there, so, ssshhh, keep it to yourself!)

     

    Vince Neil Ink has opened a new venue in Las Vegas. The new studio on the second floor of the Rio (by the VooDoo Lounge entrance) is the Mötley Crüe frontman's second Las Vegas location, the original store (which remains open) being inside O'Shea's casino on the Strip. It's open from 10 a.m.-1 a.m. daily. (Calls to the Rio indicated that they don't know VNI is there, so, ssshhh, keep it to yourself!)
    Planet Hollywood Las Vegas has just launched its own eponymous interactive online magazine. Brit action actor Jason Statham's on the cover, with other features including news, shopping, dining, entertainment, gambling, celebrity sightings, and more. Click here to take a look.
    It's been a turbulent week or so for the Las Vegas nightlife scene and the latest news is that, as predicted but earlier denied, Poetry nightclub will indeed be vacating the Forum Shops at Caesars and hopes to transplant to a new (Strip?) venue. It comes as no surprise in the light of the sudden closure last weekend of Chinois, whose space it shared, and the club's ongoing dispute with Forum Shops owner Simon Property Group and management at Caesars Palace. "We don't really have a choice. It has just kind of gotten to be unbearable," commented owner Mike Goodwin in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal.
    A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has given the go-ahead to sell the 202-room Greek Isles Hotel-Casino at auction. The financial maneuverings over the past six months are a bit complicated, but a previous auction was called off a day before it was scheduled to take place by a suit filed by secondary lenders, which forced the Greek Isles into bankruptcy in April. The main lender, Canpartners Realty Holding Company, is now free to sell the property, which was recently appraised at $44 million, down from $120 million in late 2007. No date has yet been set for the auction.
    Listen up, lobster lovers! The Coachman's Inn (3240 Eastern Ave.) is running a "Lobster Extravaganza" promotion and we've never seen as many lobster dishes on a menu. As well as more standard offerings, like a 1-1/4 lb live Maine lobster with baked potato and garlic bread for $25.95, there are all kinds of specials like lobster stuffed orange roughy ($24.95), lobster Caesar salad ($16.95), lobster stuffed mushrooms ($10.95), lobster cakes ($12.95), lobster Benedict (&18.95), lobster quesadillas ($12.95)… OK, you get the picture. Plus, you get a free bottle of house wine with any two dinners. They're not sure how long this promo will run, but predict at least for a month.
    Bad news: The original Capo's "mob-themed" Italian restaurant at Jones and Tropicana will be closing in a couple of months when its lease is up; good news is, the new venue at Sahara and Jones (in the old Hooters building) is already open and sounds even bigger and better than the original. The décor's strictly "old Vegas," with a "secret" entrance, big red leather booths, chandeliers, mob photos on the walls, and all that jazz. One room off the main restaurant features mafia movies screened in a loop on a large screen, while there's a smaller "roulette room," complete with mini-wheel, that seats eight. The menu features traditional family recipes with "mob" names. It sounds like fun.
    IGT has formalized an agreement with MGM Mirage that will add approximately 300 Wheel of Fortune slot machines to its existing base of MegaJackpots branded machines, including linked progressive such as Megabucks, eBay, Star Wars, The Price Is Right, and multi-level progressives such as Fort Knox and Indiana Jones(TM). The installation of the added Wheel of Fortune machines begins immediately and should be complete by the end of August. (See today's Question of the Day for the reverse move by Harrah's last year.)
    Orbitz Launches Vegas VIP Pass: The online travel service today announced the launch of its 'Vegas VIP Savings Pass' promotion. Customers who book any Las Vegas flight, hotel, or package on Orbitz.com before August 24, 2009 (valid for travel through September 30) will receive a savings pass that offers exclusive resort credits and discounts worth up to $500 at The Venetian, Planet Hollywood, the Palms, and the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. Visit www.orbitz.com/vegas for more information.
    Green Valley Ranch has introduced "Early Out Fridays," running weekly through August 28 from 5-10 p.m. at The Backyard pool, which will be open for swimming. Sounds from DrZhivegas and no cover charge. Dress code enforced — see Cool Pools for more details.
    The downtown Golden Nugget's new $150 million Rush Tower will open in November. Rooms in the new tower are 20% larger than the GNs North and South Tower rooms and the casino will begin accepting reservations for them as of August 1. Also opening in the tower is the Chart House Aquarium restaurant.
    Sticking with the Vegas mafia theme, it seems Mayor Oscar Goodman's long mooted plans for a downtown "mob museum" may have some competition. While progress on the original project has ground to a halt, mired in a potentially protracted legal battle between rival developers, according to Norm!'s column in today's R-J, Antoinette "Mafia Princess" Giancana (daughter of Chicago mob chief Sam) was in town over the weekend to meet with local investors Jay Bloom and Charlie Sandefur, who reportedly are in negotiations with Strip properties for an entirely separate "mob museum" project. We'll keep you posted of developments as we hear of them.
    The comedy hypnotist has just announced that his contract at Paris has been extended for a further four years. A new 3-D movie introduction has also been added to the Anthony Cools show, which features the performer's distinctly adult brand of humor (it's the only show we can think of with a 21+ age restriction that doesn't feature any nudity).
    The Neon Museum just posted a link to their Twitter feed (Twitter.com/NeonMuseum) of some really cool (if shaky) 1977 footage of Las Vegas, including downtown, the Strip, and even aerial footage of the old race track. Check it out right here.
    CSI: The Experience, an interactive touring exhibit based on the popular CBS series, will take up residence at the MGM Grand this summer. The attraction give guests the opportunity to play the role of a crime scene investigator, learning scientific principles and real investigative techniques as they try to solve one of three crime scene mysteries with the help of two state-of-the-art crime labs. Sounds pretty cool! We'll bring you more details as we get them.
    A new bikini blackjack pit's been opened at the Stratosphere's main resort pool, "8". It will be in operation through the summer, in addition to the other daily poolside entertainments that include volleyball and beer pong. As with other pools that offer gaming, the general public must be permitted admission in order to play but whereas some (notably Encore, where you'll be escorted to/from your table by security) have strict rules about non-guests enjoying the rest of the amenities, Stratosphere seemed pretty laid back when we asked and had no problem with gamblers taking a dip in the pool, too.

    This brings to 13 the total number of Las Vegas pools that offer al fresco gambling — you can find the complete list in Cool Pools.

    Rather than following the usual Vegas model of imploding and rebuilding, Harrah's decided two years ago to keep its Strip properties intact and instead build a "winding corridor" of retail outlets, casual dining venues and, yes, a Ferris wheel (will Las Vegas actually finally get one?) between its Flamingo and O'Shea's properties. You can read more about "Project Link" and see an artists rendition by clicking here for the article by gaming writer Liz Benston in the Las Vegas Sun.

    Fans of the King can keep tabs on the upcoming Cirque du Soleil show based on his life and music via its new website. The name of the production, which will be staged at CityCenter's Aria property, won't be announced until later this year, but in the meantime you can get some behind-the-scenes glimpses and interviews with the show's creators.

    The latest victim of the revolving door at the Steve Wyrick Theater is Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, which will close this Sunday  after less than three weeks, as we just confirmed with the box office. Although not intended to be a permanent fixture, the show was scheduled to run through the fall, but a dearth of audience members has forced it to shut right now. It's the same fate that befell Elvis impersonator Trent Carlini, whose show never got off the ground in that venue. Other acts that have attempted to fill the room have also run into difficulties, with the exception of owner Steve Wyrick's Real Magic, which has so far stayed the course.

    The Wynn was the first casino to house a car showroom when it introduced Ferrari to the Esplandade mall. Palazzo followed suit with the experiment and became home to Las Vegas' second Lamborghini store. Having heard rumors of the showroom's demise, we made a series of calls and initially went around in circles with the, "It's open, let me connect you" (got routed to the original store on Dean Martin Drive) and "I'm not the person to discuss this" (when connected with same) scenario ensuing. Eventually, a helpful concierge at Palazzo made some inquiries and confirmed that the showroom there indeed closed around a week ago. The associated Dal Toro Ristorante Italian eatery remains open for business, however.

    Vegas Webcam Update: You win some, you lose some: While the Silverton no longer has its main webcam and the aquarium-cam is currently offline for maintenance, the entire Boyd/Coast group has added high quality webcams to each property (Gold Coast, Orleans, Sam's Town, Fremont, California, and Main Street Station — the only one without is Suncoast). Although they area static cams, as opposed to the more sophisticated streaming video from Polo Towers or Springs Preserve, these webcams do let you choose a different view and zoom in and out, while another cool feature is being able to take a snaphot and add it to the "album" with your own tagline. Each presentation features a great panoramic shot, plus the downtown properties also have timelapse of New Year's 2009. You have to sign up on each property's website to get access to the webcam. Click this link for our Las Vegas webcam gallery.

    We wrote in the July issue of the Las Vegas Advisor about the excellent new "Halfsteak" menu at MGM Grand's Craftsteak. Now comes the $39/person L'Unique menu from L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, also at MGM Grand. Robuchon's been dubbed the "Chef of the Century" and this new "pre-theater" menu, as it's been dubbed (served daily but only until 6:45 p.m.) means we can all get a taste of what the fuss is about. Appetizers include Salmon Tartar with fresh wasabi, with Caramelized Beef Short Ribs with confit onions and mashed potatoes and Fricassée of Veal Sweetbreads with mushrooms and capers among the entrée offerings, plus a choice of desserts.

    Following the recent introduction of an Omelet House location at the Plaza comes the property's next dining upgrade in the shape of an all-new buffet. "Stuffed" will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven nights a week, plus champagne brunch on Saturday and Sunday. While breakfast and lunch retain the same $7.77 price tag as the former aptly named Lucky 7 Buffet (which served brunch and dinner for that price), every night will now feature a specialty dinner (New-York Steak and Snow Crab night on Monday, Southern Fried on Tuesday etc.) for $12.99 ($15.99 on Friday and Saturday), while the champagne brunch is $9.99/person.

    Liquor licenses denied for nightclubs at Planet Hollywood
    Privé, Living Room face closure; resort fined.

    By ARNOLD M. KNIGHTLY/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

    The Privé nightclub was denied a liquor license and ordered to cease operations by midnight Tuesday for failing "to abide by the duties of a liquor licensee," the county's Business License Department announced Thursday just hours after Planet Hollywood Resort paid a $500,000 fine for not properly overseeing activities at the nightclub.

    Privé's ultralounge, the Living Room, which is owned by the same company as the nightclub, also was denied a liquor license and ordered to cease all business operations by midnight July 30.

    The nightclub and lounge had been operating under temporary licenses while the Metropolitan Police Department investigated their suitability for licenses after being cited by the county for a series of code violations.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/news/51562542.html

    NORM: Nightclub trouble is far from over.

    First Pure, now Privé. Look for another domino to fall this weekend.

    The once-raging nightclub industry in Las Vegas is getting the equivalent of a cold shower.

    The Internal Revenue Service sent the first message with its raid 17 months ago of local nightclub kingpin Pure Management Group.

    The crackdown continued Thursday when Planet Hollywood Resort paid a $500,000 fine to the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Clark County Business License Department denied its nightclub, Privé, a liquor license.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/news/51562577.html

    Hooters Hotel shows offer lowbrow fun with comedy, beefcake.

    By Mike Weatherford/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

    Maybe it's just me, but the idea of seeing shows at Hooters Hotel takes on more appeal during one of the hottest, dog-day summer weeks of the year.

    Once-a-year visitors don't have the luxury of Las Vegas locals or those who do the Interstate 15 crawl from California. If summer is your only chance to sit up straight and pay attention to "Phantom" or "O," you probably should go for it.

    But there is an alternative: Kick back, pull up a beer and drop any walls of separation to Todd Paul, a Northern California "dude" comic who is a $25 ticket and just perfect for the downscale atmosphere of the glorified lounge.

    Same goes for the bachelorettes who want to see the booty-shakin' "Men of X" drop most of the pretense of an overly slick "show" and cut to the cheap, campy raunch.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/neon/51562472.html

    HEIDI'S PICKS: Eats of the Week

    By: Heidi Knapp Rinella/LVRJ

    FIREFLY ON PARADISE

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

    Overall: A- $$

    GREEK VILLAGE CAFE

    9550 S. Eastern Ave.; 463-7300

    Greek restaurants have been few and far between in the Las Vegas Valley over the years and those we did have seemed to be mostly west of the Strip, so we were delighted to discover this east-side mom-and-pop that's as authentic as it gets. We liked the combo plate of spanakopita, tyropita and patatopita; the gyros platter; the pastitsio; and a delicious dessert of galaktobureko; and pretty snazzy Greek wines (Xatzimichalis Cabernet Sauvignon and Skouras Merlot) to boot. (12/26/08)

    Overall: A $$

    SHARI'S DINER

    1900 N. Buffalo Drive; 870-6424

    With the exception of the sticky-salty gravy on the pot roast we liked Shari's old-school diner favorites — and especially Shari's old-school diner atmosphere. Particularly worthy of note were two Shari's originals, the Philly Cheese Steak Fries and The Brie-Licious burger, and a bit of sweet, delicious wretched excess, a peanut-butter malt. (7/17/09)

    Overall: B+ $$

    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/51562522.html

    490-room tower opens at Hard Rock Hotel

    Executive says hotel near capacity for summer.

    By ARNOLD M. KNIGHTLY/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

    Forget the recession. Forget concerns that too many Las Vegas hotel rooms may soon be competing for too few customers.

    The Hard Rock Hotel can't wait to open its new 490-room Paradise Tower.

    Most of the rooms in the Paradise Tower will be open for business this weekend, a week ahead of the new tower's official opening.

    And property executives say the off-Strip resort's 1,300-room inventory is sold out next weekend and is nearing capacity for the next several weekends.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/business/51692207.html

    NORM: Report: Newton turned down gig.

    Wayne Newton has backed out of a deal with the Tropicana, where he had planned to hold his 50th anniversary as a Las Vegas entertainer.

    Newton, after negotiating a lengthy engagement, said no danke schoen, according to a source.

    "The press conference was already set for Aug. 3 with shows set to kick off Sept. 3," said the source.

    Newton, 67, had a blockbuster deal in place, with the assistance of local dealmaker Jack Wishna, but it fell through this month.

    More from The LVRJ here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/news/51734707.html

    MIKE WEATHERFORD: Echoes of Elvis still linger in Vegas

    In a few weeks, everyone will be remembering Elvis Presley on the day he died, Aug. 16. On Thursday, Las Vegas should pay more attention to the day he was reborn, one that changed things around here for keeps.

    Thursday is the 40th anniversary of Elvis' debut at the International Hotel, now the Las Vegas Hilton. If you take Elvis seriously, cue up "Suspicious Minds." If you goof on him, make yourself a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Just don't ignore it.

    At the time, the Elvis comeback took a back seat to the lingering euphoria over the moon landing. But this giant step for Vegas-kind still echoes all around town, from wedding chapels to the next big Cirque du Soleil, due at CityCenter in December.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/living/51734577.html

    MISTAKEN IDENTITY By Norm Clarke

    The woman who replaced Terry Fator's onstage assistant/girlfriend in March has been pulled from post-show meet-and-greets because of a fan uproar.

    Janell Lewis, who is married to Elvis impersonator Matt Lewis, sent a mass e-mail about 10 days ago to notify friends that she was not Fator's girlfriend.

    "I'm sending you this to clear up some major confusion," she wrote.

    She said that she replaced Taylor Makakoa Dew, who left after opening night in March at The Mirage after working as Fator's onstage assistant for about a year.

    Fator told reporters on July 4 that he was getting a divorce from his wife of 18 years and that they had been separated for months. A few days later, he acknowledged that he was dating Dew, 21, after they were seen in public several nights in a row.

    In her e-mail, Janell Lewis said the subsequent media coverage has "caused a lot of confusion" and "some MAJOR havoc in mine and my husband's lives."

    She added, "Luckily, they are pulling me from meet and greet for a while because it's all the public wants to talk to me about now, and I am not Terry's PR agent. "

    http://www.lvrj.com/news/51776567.html

    DOUG ELFMAN: Smokey recalls the good old ways

    Since Smokey Robinson divides his life between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, I asked the Motown hero how Vegas could be changed for the better.

    "I think Vegas should revert back to what it used to be," Robinson, 69, tells me.

    "Almost every hotel had a named act" in the old days.

    "Now, it's a bunch of circus shows and 'Follies' and things like that. Not to say I'm against those shows. Those people have to work, too, and all those shows are great.

    More from The LVRJ here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/news/51855592.html

    CHAPTER 11 PROTECTION: Station Casinos regroups, continues normal operations at resorts

    Casinos will continue operating as normal.

    By ARNOLD M. KNIGHTLY/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

    Station Casinos on Tuesday filed for Chapter 11 protection after reaching an impasse in months-long negotiations with creditors on a plan to restructure the gaming company's $5.7 billion debt load.

    "We have been working with the various creditor groups for months, and it has been very difficult to get all of the creditors to come to a consensual agreement among themselves and with the company," Chief Accounting Officer Thomas Friel said.

    The bankruptcy case, which includes parent company Station Casinos Inc. and 17 of its noncasino affiliates, was filed Tuesday afternoon in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Reno. The noncasino subsidiaries control the company's landholdings in Reno and other nongaming assets.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/news/51978857.html

    MIKE WEATHERFORD: TV time pays off for Flamingo magician.

    Wait a minute … was that … Nathan Burton? On "America's Got Talent"? Again?

    Why, yes it was. The Flamingo Las Vegas magician owes his afternoon berth mostly to the NBC talent show's first season. "Nothing comes close to it," Burton says of the series that came in second to baseball's All-Star Game in last week's ratings.

    That's why he's back as a contestant. He might not win this time either, but Burton figures his 31 seconds on the show last week — yes, he counted — cost much less than a commercial on prime-time TV.

    It's a poorly kept secret that many contestants, including season two winner Terry Fator, already are working pros. "But I'm one of the few people that can benefit from it instantly," says Burton, who recently signed a three-year extension at the Flamingo.

    Last weekend saw a bump in ticket sales, and a lot of people he greeted after the show said they watched. Many wanted to know why the judges didn't recognize him. Good question!

    Turns out David Hasselhoff and Piers Morgan did, but their chat was cut to pack more into the hour. Burton also explains how he ended up back on a talent show that seems to make up its rules as it goes. The logic went something like this:

    Burton has stayed in good graces with the producer, FremantleMedia, and continued to discuss being a guest performer or talent coach. But in the fourth season, they feared no one would remember him.

    Well, if that's the case, why not just compete again?

    Well, why not? As long as he auditioned, like everyone else.

    So Burton went to Los Angeles, auditioned fair and square, and now it's 2006 all over again.

    http://www.lvrj.com/neon/51471077.html

    Las Vegas Top Ten Values: August 2009 from The Las Vegas Advisor.

    1. Room Rates - Vegas Club et al. - - $19 and up

    Room rates have been our number-one value every
    month in 2009 and there’s no sign that the downward
    pressure on pricing is letting up. The usual July carryover
    into August is in full effect and in only four months, another
    5,000 or so rooms will open at CityCenter. We do our own
    research that considers rates all around Las Vegas, but
    even the more Strip-centric surveys continue to register
    declines from last year that approach 30%. It’s still too
    early to predict, but these low low prices for hotel rooms
    might be the new “normal.”

    2. 2-for-1 Entrée - Station Casinos - All locations - Sun-Thurs - $6 and up

    Another testament to how good and low room rates are is the fact that they keep our new #2 deal from being #1. This late-breaker is earmarked for August only, but it’s a dandy: 2-for-1 entrées at any and all Station and Fiesta restaurants (except coffee shops and buffets, and Hachi at Red Rock). The offer is good Sundays through Thursdays and there’s no coupon necessary. Just show your Boarding Pass or Amigo Card to score great twofers in dozens of fine eateries. A sampling of the participating restaurants appear at stationcasinos.com/dining2for1.

    3. Steak Dinner - Ellis Island - 24 hours - $6.95

    The complete steak dinner at Ellis Island is the best-value meal deal in a city full of good-value meal deals. It’s a 10-ounce filet-cut sirloin, which comes with salad, garlic green beans, choice of potato, and fresh microbrewed beer, all for $6.95.

    4. Shrimp Cocktail - Golden Gate - 11 am-2am - 99¢

    All you have to do is show a players club card to get the shrimp at the old 99-cent price; otherwise, you pay $1.99. Sure, the extra step (if you’re not already a member) is a little inconvenient, but a couple of sign-up bennies mitigate the five-minute detour. More important, the shrimp are bigger and better than ever. Note that we’ve heard the Gate is now imposing a limit of two-per-card on the number of shrimp cocktails you can order at the 99¢ price. The shrimp is $1.99 without a GG club card.

    5. Funbook - Silverton - New Sign-Ups - Free

    In honor of its 12th anniversary, Silverton has put out a special funbook for new Discovery Club sign-ups and thousands of locals who get it in the mail. If this book weren’t restricted to new members only, it would have vied (with room rates and the Station deal) for this month’s #1 value. It’s that strong. This is probably a one-shot deal that you should run, not walk, to take advantage of.

    6. Buffet - M Resort - Daily - $8.95-$25.95

    All we can say about M Resort’s Studio B Buffet is “Wow!” This spread sets a new standard for buffets in the Buffet Capital of the World. Yes, the lines are still a problem, but once you’re inside, the huge turnover of patrons ensures that the fresh food keeps coming and coming and coming. The freshness, quality, and variety (when was the last time you saw a chocolate souffle at a buffet?), along with prices that are among the lowest for a Las Vegas superbuffet, dictate that M’s Studio B take over the best-buffet position on the list.

    7. Dollar Days - Sahara - Daily - $1

    Dollar Days continues at the Sahara: dollar beer, shots (with souvenir glass), hot dogs, and blackjack, all in the rear of the casino near the NASCAR Café.

    8. Prime Rib - South Point - 24 hours - $12.95

    The prime rib deal at South Point is a stunner. It's advertised as 10 ounces, but that’s underestimating it by about half. Plus, it’s served 24 hours a day in the coffee shop, with your choice of soup or salad, potato, and rolls if you ask. If you have a hankerin' for a prime rib special, it's worth the trip down to South Point.

    9. Lunch Comp - Crown & Anchor - Daily - $20 Buy-in

    Rooms might be priced at rock bottom (see #1), but games and comps seem to be tightening. Bucking the trend is the long-time lunch comp at the Crown & Anchor pubs. The free lunch with a $20 video poker buy-in has appeared in the Top Ten in months past, but we revisited it recently and it’s still going strong. Plus, if you miss lunch, the $20 buy-in entitles you to a free appetizer (including the great chicken fingers) from 3 pm to midnight. And all the while, you’re also drinking comped premium draft beers from around the world. It’s ironic that the best comp in Comp City is now available outside the casinos (locations are at 1350 E. Tropicana and 4775 Spring Mountain).

    10. Show Discounts - Cirque du Soleil - Daily - Five Shows

    Get a second ticket for $25 when you buy one at full price for any of the Cirque shows in Las Vegas. Go to cirquedusoleil.com for details. Note that you must buy tickets to the same show to get the second one for $25.

    http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/topten.cfm

    The Peppermill Beats the Odds by Brian Rouff

    We're not the most sentimental bunch here in Las Vegas. Most of our traditions get blown up, bulldozed and steamrolled to make way for the next big thing. Occasionally, someone cares enough to stick some artifact in a museum or storefront. But more often, the object in question simply disappears, never to be seen again, like the Bugsy Siegel suite at the Flamingo.

    For years, Las Vegas’ official slogan was: “What happens here, stays here.” I think a more appropriate one would be: “Don’t get too attached.”

    That’s why I find it comforting that a handful of old-time establishments have managed to hang on, sometimes for decades. Like the Peppermill restaurant on the Strip. The Peppermill opened its doors on Dec. 26, 1972, at 11 p.m. I know what you’re thinking. “That’s only 37 years – big deal.” Well, it is by Las Vegas standards. This ain’t Manhattan or Chicago, after all. Time takes on a different meaning here.

    More here:

    http://living-las-vegas.com/2009/07/peppermill-las-vegas/#comments

    Wheel of Fortune Slot Pays Million Dollar Jackpot at Cannery Casino & Hotel.

    The Cannery Casino & Hotel has made another lucky player an instant millionaire. Las Vegas local, Helen Jenner, hit the $1,058,092.24 jackpot Thursday evening while playing a Wheel of Fortune slot machine at The Cannery.
     
    “We are very pleased that one of our regular guests to the Cannery Casino hit such a big jackpot on one of our Wheel of Fortune machines,” said Josh Killian, director of marketing for Cannery Casino & Hotel. “Our guests have had some great luck here at the Cannery Casino. In the past few years we’ve had a large number of jackpot winners, including two Megabucks jackpots,” he added.

    Treasure Island Opens Khotan Pan-Asian Restaurant

    “City of Jade” fine dining adorned with largest collection of exquisite jade sculptures.

    Treasure Island will add Khotan to its fine-dining options beginning August 10, featuring Pan-Asian cuisine, outdoor seating with views of the Strip and Sirens Cove, and ultra-chic indoor dining nooks for parties of two to 20. The menu offers delectable entrees influenced by Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Indonesian traditional and contemporary cuisine.

    Khotan, which means “City of Jade,” will also contain the largest collection of jade and ivory antiquities in the United States. On loan from Treasure Island Owner Phil Ruffin’s private collection, the 20-plus pieces will include two five-foot hand-carved jade jars and a 35,000-year old ivory tusk adorned with an intricately designed Asian village.
    Waynes World: August 2009

    Lance Burton has returned to the stage at the Monte Carlo Resort
    & Casino as of July 7th after a two-month hiatus due to a broken foot.
    His show has never been better. For the rest of the summer a special of
    25 percent off the regular ticket price is being offered via MonteCarlo.com
    or just mention it at the Lance Burton Theatre Box-Office. This offer runs
    thru Sept. 6 and then the show goes on vacation from Sept. 7-21. He’s won
    “Best Magician for 11 Years in a Row” in the R-J Reader’s Poll. The show’s
    new hours are 7 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday.

    Capo’s Italian Steakhouse (the old Hooter’s on Sahara) is a
    mob-themed Italian restaurant that is a third of the price you would pay
    in a similar resort restaurant. Restaurateur Nico Santucci decided to
    open the mob-themed Capo’s after the success of Capo’s on Tropicana.
    The new one is swankier, very red, dark and intimate with an outstanding
    menu and wine list. Capo’s is not only fun like an old speak easy when you
    enter the back door but its service is excellent and I give it a four-star
    rating. This is an upscale restaurant without the high prices. The food is
    outstanding. It’s quality food with a great chef.

    “Crazy Horse Paris” put the sexy and sultry Carmen Electra into the
    show for a week and she was the best thing about it. She did two numbers
    and a topless appearance at the end to a cheering crowd. The “Crazy Girls”
    is still my favorite topless revue. It’s at the Riviera. Comedic magician and
    host Tony Douglas helps make the show what it is but the difference in
    the dancers is that “Crazy Girls” aren’t carbon copies but much more
    curvaceous than the “Crazy Horse” gals. There were different shows but
    many of the numbers are similar.

    An Evening of Romance with Clint Holmes Brings Las Vegas’ Legend Back to the Suncoast Showroom August 28-30
    Back by popular demand, the smooth, charismatic Clint Holmes returns to the Suncoast Showroom in An Evening of Romance with Clint Holmes, musically directed by Bill Fayne, August 28, 29 and 30.
    Audiences can look forward to hearing a variety of songs with the shared theme of romance. Holmes will perform a range of old standards, treasures from “The Great American Songbook” – featuring songs that tell the story of the first 50 years of American popular music from New Orleans jazz to Broadway musicals – and selections from the likes of Sting, John Mayer, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder. Holmes will also sing romantic originals from his own repertoire. In addition, singer and guitarist Jerry Lopez of the popular group Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns will make a guest appearance. Holmes and Lopez are expected to perform an exciting duet that embodies the evening’s theme – romance.
    Holmes returns to the Suncoast Showroom on the heels of the wildly popular debut of Vocal Soup, in which he partnered with long-time friends Susan Anton, Domenick Allen and Martin Nievera for a showcase of solo performances, duets and group numbers. The show had a sell-out weekend in June, a testament to Holmes’ singing and showmanship skills, plus the realization of the group’s dream of rekindling the Las Vegas tradition of entertainers coming together in an “anything can happen” atmosphere.
    Holmes’ fans know him as more than just a singer. He’s famous for making every performance an original and captivating audiences with his signature style. Among his many recordings is the Top 10 smash hit “Playground In My Mind (My Name Is Michael).” His album “Edges” produced many other standout songs, including “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” the romantic “Shouldn’t It Be Easy By Now,” the playful “Gotta Get Up” and the thought-provoking “Let My Son See Africa.”
    Known best in Las Vegas for his recent six-year run in Clint Holmes at Harrah’s, during which he was named Las Vegas’ “Best Singer” by readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Holmes’ fame stretches far beyond Southern Nevada. Named Atlantic City’s “Entertainer of the Year” three times, Holmes starred in Clint Holmes’ Sophisticated Rhythms, a dynamic stage show that traveled through music from the 1940s to the present. His 1996 critically acclaimed musical Comfortable Shoes, which opened in New Jersey, was a poignant and uplifting journey into Holmes’ interracial family’s struggle to find its identity. In 2002, an updated version of the musical opened at The Royal George Theatre in Chicago. Among the show’s rave reviews, the Chicago Tribune called it “a night of fully realized theatrical entertainment.”
    In a career that began with an invitation from Joan Rivers to be her sidekick and announcer on The Late Show, Clint Holmes has proven himself as a well-respected performer, even earning the honor of being the featured performer at the Democratic National Convention on the evening of Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential nomination.
    Tickets are now available starting from $29.95, plus tax. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 702.636.7075 or visiting www.suncoastcasino.com.
    Show Review: George Wallace by Devon Brooke Clasen
    George Wallace has been thinkin’, and his audience is privy to the hilarious results in his show, I Be Thinkin’, in the Flamingo Hotel Showroom.

    Attendees are treated to a classic show experience similar to what visitors of Vegas’ heyday must have experienced. Guests aren’t merely herded into a huge theatre constructed with hundreds of seats. Instead, a more genteel, supper club atmosphere is arranged in the showroom, more conducive to a comedy or variety show. The line meanders through the casino and into the showroom, a testament to Wallace’s popularity (as witnessed by his show having been voted best 10 pm show). A tuxedoed maitre ‘D greets guests and politely ushers audience members into the intimate yet comfortably sized showroom, where vintage banquette seating houses groups of three to eight, ideal for attending with family, friends and coworkers.

    Additionally, several long tables flank the stage and provide seating for about 20 people each, no doubt providing prime material for Wallace’s largely improvised performance. Be warned: if you choose stage-side seating, you may become funny fodder for the comedian’s act.

    Opening the show, an a capella band of six young men called Mosaic serve to warm up the audience for 10-15 minutes with impressive musical melodies performed entirely without instruments, after which time a dashingly dressed Wallace joins the group on stage and begins his comedic banter. After his good-natured assault on the band, Wallace turns his attention to his audience. (Editors Note: Wallace may or may not have an opening act and the act is subject to change).

    Wallace playfully teases a select few audience members, usually the ones making the most noise. If you’d prefer to be excluded from his mockery, don’t draw attention to yourself or sit further back in the theatre. But Wallace’s jokes and jibes always remain innocuous and well placed, and offense need never be taken.

    Running the gamut from topical humor and regional ridicule to commonplace curiosities and Seinfeldian observation, it seems Wallace can make fun of anything. Sometimes sharp, sometimes silly but always funny, Wallace also ventures into more edgy comedic territory, and no one is safe from his onslaught. From midgets to the elderly, from cops to yo ‘mama, Wallace’s material remains relatable and relevant yet uproariously raucous. Touching on religious humor, Wallace often invites self-described gospel singers from the audience to join him on stage and belt out a spiritual hymn, an unexpected but uplifting departure from his biting barbs.

    Closing the show, a few lucky audience members are rewarded with giveaways such as DVDs, gas cards and even cash; evidence of Wallace’s appreciation and generosity towards his fans. Wallace then stages outside the theatre to meet and greet his fans in a gesture of accessibility and availability not often found elsewhere in Las Vegas.

    A refreshing and nostalgic departure from the “New Vegas”, George Wallace’s show and indeed the whole experience recall the retro days of supper clubs, variety shows and pure, unrehearsed, unscripted entertainment. Its Las Vegas as it was and should be again: The Entertainment Capital of the World, indeed.

    Show Review: Bite by  Lincoln Hudson from: www.accessvegas.com

    With the Credit Crunch/ Down Turn/ Recession (call it what you will) slowly draining away everyones hard earned cash as well as their morale and patience one wonders if the big fish on The Strip are getting at all nervous. At around $190 Dollars a ticket those members of the public both brave and rich enough to be visiting Sin-City must be having second thoughts about venturing into the MGM, The Mirage or the soon to be open Las Vegas CityCenter. But this is the Land of Opportunity and where some shows may be experiencing a down turn in their ticket sales others may be experiencing a joyful increase in their bank balance. X-Burlesque may still be going and the Brat Pack may allegedly be back but the Stratosphere Hotel and casino is packing their audience in thanks to a coven of so called gorgeous looking topless vampire love angels who passionately perform a titilating and roller coaster ride of a show called BITE.

    These beautiful vampirish femm-fetales are a lovable and sexy looking mixture of Daisy Dukes and Victoria beckham lookalikes who all answer to such names as Tush or Pain. Naturally the leader of the coven is a beautiful and sexy adonis of man who with his false fangs and light blue contact lenses turns out to be the Vampire King. A vampire king that is who strikes a not so surprisingly similar look to that of the James Bond character DR-Death from the movie Live and Let Die. Throw in some magic coffins that make women disappear, a large black grand piano that helps the vampire ladies appear and some rather predictable rock tunes (Born to be Wild) and you have an erotic but decently priced show that caters to an audience who are very comfortably accomodated in an excellent cocktail lounge.

    The girls though beautiful and very sexy also contrast well with each other while the show is further complimented by an excellent ariel act not to mention a lead vocalist with the perfect voice for such a show. One could however be forgiven that the false fangs and rock music is just an excuse for the ladies to show off their best assets, but as the evening progresses so does the action.

    The creators of BITE I think should be congratulated for choosing the right kind of theme that would compliment a group of Artists like this, however one bizarre moment occurs when towards the end of the night the all girl coven suddenly burst into their own vampire ballet. This puzzled the audience as for most of the night the girls seemed to be performing dance that was more exotic than balletic. Eventually however the conclusion emerges in the guise of the adonis Vampire King finally finding his erotic Vampire Queen.

    It wasn’t until I saw the 1980’s movie The-Howling did I finally appreciate the hotness of the topless vampire. Being seduced by a young and nubile female vampire coven I thought must be the ultimate fantasy for men (and women) who wish to grow old disgracefully. And, it must also be the ultimate secret weapon that downtown Las Vegas can deploy against the big boys in up town Sin-City.

    While Bite is only a small topless revue it does possess (other than heart, passion and beautiful women) seats at affordable prices And for this you get comfort, good service and excellent entertainment.

    “The Magic & Tigers of Rick Thomas” Now Open at the Sahara Hotel & Casino

    Master illusionist Rick Thomas, who has amazed audiences around the world, is now performing in his new home at the Theater inside the distinguished Sahara Hotel & Casino on the famed Las Vegas Strip.  Thomas’ magic has been a showstopper for audiences of all ages where he combines the beauty of magic, the complexity of working with regal animals and the elegance of dance all into one dynamic performance.  
     
    Thomas has performed on the Strip for more than 10 years headlining in theaters at properties such as the Tropicana and Stardust.  After earning the prestigious title of “Illusionist of the World” in 2008 and performing for audiences in various countries, Thomas decided to return to Las Vegas and open a show at the famed Sahara Theater where he performs on the same stage where legends such as The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. performed.  
     
    For “The Magic & Tigers of Rick Thomas” show, Thomas showcases some familiar illusions that he has made famous in his career but Thomas also debuts a few new illusions that will have guests shocked and amazed on how it is done. Thomas also brings back his beautiful Bengal tigers into the show that have been staples of his magic career.  
     
    “I am happy to perform in Las Vegas again after being on a world tour,” said Rick Thomas.  “I found a new home for my show at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in a more intimate theater where audience members will be closer to the action on stage.  I am bringing back the Bengal tigers and my wonderful assistants but guests who have been following my career will see some new illusions never seen before.”  

    “Rick Thomas has an illustrious career in magic,” said Bill Tremper, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the Sahara Hotel & Casino.  “We are proud to bring his unique style to the Sahara stage where it will entertain audiences of all ages.  Our property is focused on providing stellar and value-driven entertainment to our guests and with Rick, this was a great fit.”  
     
    “The Magic & Tigers of Rick Thomas” can be seen Tuesday through Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (dark Monday). General admission tickets are $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for children under the age of 12.  VIP tickets are available for $49.95, which includes preferred seating.  

    A Tradition Of Elegance: Jubilee

    By: Paul Szydelko/Las Vegas Magazine.

    Bolder, bigger and better than most of what came before, still endearing, enduring and yes, endowed, Jubilee! continues to entertain visitors 28 years after its opening.

    The production helped defi ne the premise of entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip, an attitude that garnered worldwide attention: Display beautiful women, instill a sense of grandeur, keep the pace lightning-quick and provide a variety of specialty acts that leave audience members amazed.

    Indeed, Jubilee! remains unapologetically prepolitically correct. With breathtaking costumes designed by the legendary Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee, innumerable sparkling sequins and never-ending feathers, showgirls form the heart of the production. The halcyon days of longlegged showgirls have waned, but they're in full glory here. The women, with no obvious tattoos or belly-button rings, are as demure as a topless show can get. The skin is displayed prominently but respectfully. Their moves are carefully crafted to be enticing but not salacious.

    But there's so much more that makes Jubilee! a unique entry in Vegas' theatrical landscape. The stagecraft is ingenious, if not high-tech. For those wary and weary of in-your face, too-loud, too-explicit forms of entertainment, Jubilee! offers a glamorous and ambitious evening of entertainment – elaborate but decidedly old-school in the most refreshing, honest way.

    Giant set pieces include the story of Samson and Delilah and the sinking of the Titanic. The fi nale pays tribute to the work of Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, George Gershwin and the Ziegfeld Follies.

    Expect that world-class jugglers, balancing teams and other specialty acts will leave you nudging your companion and exchanging wide-eyed glances.

    The dream of the late Donn Arden survives. Arden, who imported a version of Lido de Paris to the Stardust in 1958 and created a handful of other showgirl spectacles during the vibrant '60s and '70s, blended all the elements of a masterpiece in the summer of 1981.

    It's a dream that glorifi esescapism – a tradition that put Las Vegas entertainment on the national and international maps. Jubilee! represents the ultimate escape: a romantic night of sights and sounds, frivolity and fantasy, with universal appeal.

    Jubilee!
    Where: Bally's
    When: 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. Sat.-Thurs.
    Cost: $52.50 and up

    http://lasvegasmagazine.com/feature1.html

    What’s Happening at the Lady Luck?

    Don’t get too excited if you wander Downtown and see a buzz of activity around the long-dormant Lady Lucky hotel. The construction – or rather deconstruction – does not mean that the hotel is coming back anytime soon.

    A couple of weeks ago, Mayor Oscar Goodman loudly criticized the owners of the Lady Luck who have long promised to revitalize and reopen the property. A partially deconstructed hotel tower was referred to as a “carcass” by the Mayor, who demanded something be done.

    Looks like someone was listening. Although they are not saying anything about when, or if, the hotel will get a new lease on life, the owners of the property did bring in heavy equipment to get rid of the steel structure that was such an eyesore.

    Fontaineblech The outlook is getting even bleaker for the Fontainebleau, the partially built multi-billion dollar hotel-casino project on the north end of The Strip.

    The hotel, which was supposed to open this fall, has been sitting dormant for months after construction crews were sent home due to financial difficulties and a variety of lawsuits. It seemed obvious to everyone that the property would not open as scheduled, but it took the company’s bankruptcy filing to confirm that 2009 is looking more like 2010 or beyond at this point.

    The parent company of the hotel asked for the court’s permission to cancel meetings and conventions that had been booked for the first half of 2010.

    And as if that weren’t bad enough, even more new lawsuits were filed by people affected in one way or another by the collapse of the project’s financing. The whole thing will probably be locked up in litigation for a very long time.

    Vegas4Visitors Weekly Awards By Rick garman

    The Stupid Punk of the Week Award goes to whoever tagged the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign on The Strip last week. The graffiti was promptly removed.

    The Get Your Grissom On Award of the Week goes to the MGM Grand, future home of the interactive “CSI Experience.” The exhibit puts visitors at the scene of a series of (fictional) crimes and challenges them to figure out whodunit. The attraction will open at the MGM Grand later this summer.

    The Moving Mirth Award of the Week goes to The Comedy Stop, the stand-up shop that operated at The Tropicana for years and is now aiming for laughs at The Sahara. Operating out of the Congo Room, The Comedy Stop will perform nightly at 9pm with a rotating series of comics.

    Harrah’s Takes it to the Street by Rick Garman

    With the economy in the toilet and Las Vegas taking a big hit, it’s not surprising that there aren’t too many “grand plans” being announced by the various hotel and casino companies in town. In fact there are more cancelled plans being announced than new development proposals.

    Bucking that trend is Harrah’s Entertainment, the casino giant that operates more than half a dozen gaming destinations in Vegas including Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, Bally’s, Flamingo, Imperial Palace, Rio, Paris Las Vegas, and more. Last week the company announced their next grand plan for Las Vegas… a street.

    Yes, instead of tearing down and/or massively overhauling their existing resorts (as they had long been rumored to do) the company will instead focus on smaller projects such as this proposal, which will transform an alley into a Bourbon Street like series of restaurants, bars, and entertainment spaces.

    The project will go in between the company’s Flamingo and O’Sheas casinos and will involve a cosmetic overhaul of the latter. The pedestrian only street will stretch east from The Strip to the monorail and will be capped by a giant Ferris wheel.

    Longtime readers of this column will remember the giant Ferris wheel from previous stories. At various times it was proposed for several different hotels on and off The Strip including, at one point, Harrah’s own Rio Suites. At more than 600-feet high, it would be one of the tallest of its breed in the world, similar to the London Eye.

    When all of this will happen and how much all of it will cost is still very much up in the air, leaving some observers (including myself) to roll their eyes and say “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

    Harrah’s, like every other casino company around the country, has been hit hard by the economic downturn and is weighted down by more than $20 billion in debt. Financing the street and Ferris wheel will be difficult if not impossible until things turn around unless they get a deep-pocketed partner to step in and push things forward.

    Things That Will Never Happen By Rick Garman

    I will never like broccoli, no matter how it is prepared. No matter how hard my personal trainer Sam kicks my ass, Calvin Klein will never call me to be their next underwear model. I will never understand the appeal of Facebook and Twitter.

    And there will never be a high-speed train linking Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

    Okay, “never” might be a little extreme in terms of the last one, but I’m fairly comfortable in my assertion that the chances of me or you or anyone else riding a train to Las Vegas in the next couple of years, as has been endlessly discussed in the media, are about as close to “never” as the idea of me settling down, getting married, and having a couple of kids.

    You may have heard about the Maglev proposal, a project expected to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $12 billion that would feature 300 mph, magnetically propelled trains running from Anaheim to Las Vegas. Or you may have heard about the DesertXpress, a $4 billion proposal that would feature 150 mph trains from Sin City to Victorville, California (about 80 miles north of Los Angeles).

    The competing projects have been in the news a lot lately, especially now that the Federal Railroad Administration has declared that Las Vegas can be considered as part of a high-priority California rail corridor. By extending the corridor to Vegas, the long in the planning stages projects now qualify for a variety of federal loans and other funding. If everything goes according to plan, the DesertXpress folks say they will have trains up and running by 2014 while the Maglev people say theirs can open in 2016.

    But it’s that “according to plan” thing that has me skeptical.

    Both the Maglev and DesertXpress proposals have been around in some form or another for years and the idea of having train service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas has been talked about ever since the Amtrak line shut down in 1997. Anyone remember the Talgo train proposal? That was another big pronouncement/never happened deal back around 1999.

    The problems with train service to Las Vegas are numerous. First is the convenience factor, or rather lack thereof. The Desert Xpress route will mean that the bulk of the Los Angeles residents will need to drive to Victorville to catch the train, something that takes an hour when there is no traffic and two or three or more hours when there is traffic (and trust me, there is almost always traffic). The Anaheim station for the Maglev isn’t much more appealing unless you happen to live near Anaheim, but here again you’re talking an hour or more in traffic for a lot of people. Simply put, it isn’t going to be convenient enough for most people to want to use it and that’s a huge factor in transit adoption rates.

    The second problem is the time factor. The Victorville to Vegas route and the Anaheim to Vegas route are both expected to take around 90 minutes to complete. Add in the time that it will take people to get to the train station, get tickets, check bags, and wait for the train to depart and suddenly you’ve turned 90 minutes into four hours or more. When you can get to any of the Los Angeles area airports and catch any one of dozens of daily flights to Las Vegas in less time, the train doesn’t make any sense.

    Third is the cost factor. Both trains are expected to run around $50 for a one-way fare to Las Vegas, so roughly $100 round trip. Plan a few weeks in advance and you can get airfare for about that or even less sometimes. And no matter how much of a gas hog you have, you can probably drive to Vegas and back for less than $100 worth of fuel.

    Then there’s the cost factor to actually build the system. Whether it’s $4 billion or $40 billion, raising that kind of money is going to be nearly impossible, especially in these current economic climates. With much of the rail line going through California – a state that is, as of this writing, handing out IOU’s to pay its bills – you can see why I might want to roll my eyes a little when I hear about this stuff.

    So if the train isn’t convenient, efficient, or cost-effective then people simply aren’t going to use it. If people don’t use it, it won’t make money. If it doesn’t make money, it will shut down. Amtrak learned this lesson about a dozen years ago.

    The bottom line is this: there is not enough of a demand for high-speed train service from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. If there was, these trains would’ve been built a long time ago. The fact that they still don’t exist should be telling.

    Who knows… maybe “never” is too extreme. I’ve been wrong before. I’m wrong all the time. And I think the concept of any kind of mass transit is great – fewer cars or airplanes, theoretically good for the environment. Heck, if they actually do build the train I’ll ride it once just to see what it’s like.

    But I’m not budging on the broccoli. Never going to happen.

    SHOW REVIEW: "Charo: A Musical Sensation"

    After decades on the Strip, Charo still entertains by just being herself. By Mike Weatherford/LVRJ.

    She said what I had been thinking, though the thoughts in one's head usually don't come with such a funny accent: "It's like a flashback."

    Charo said this near the end of her new Riviera showcase, when she talked about having played the hotel circa 1982. But it seemed like a flashback from the get-go.

    The "cuchi-cuchi girl" is the way you always remember her: one head-to-toe jiggle, with bouncing hair and bouncier breasts, all balanced precariously on platform shoes.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/neon/52169062.html

    HEIDI'S PICKS By Heidi Knapp Rinella/LVRJ

    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+ $$

    MARKET GRILLE CAFE

    7920 W. Tropical Parkway; 396-0070 (also at 7175 W. Lake Mead Blvd.)

    This sure doesn't look like a counter-service restaurant and the food sure doesn't taste like it. It's actually more of a hybrid since the food is brought to the table on real dishes and with real flatware. The Greek cuisine is the real deal, too, and we say "Opa!" to the dolmades, saganaki, pomegranate chicken, moussaka and — talk about something living up to the name — Aphrodite's Cheesecake, which is on a baklava crust. (10/10/08)

    Overall: A $$

    MI PERU

    1450 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Henderson; 220-4652

    Here's one reason you should try cuisines that may not be familiar: purple corn drink. Yes, it sounds weird, but it was fantastic. And Peruvian. We also liked the other Peruvian foods we had at Mi Peru, which were deep-fried yuca root, polla a la brasa (roasted marinated chicken), lomo saltado (beef with tomatoes and onions) and a rich flan topped with toasted coconut. (7/24/09)

    Overall: A- $$

    THE COUNTRY CLUB

    Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 248-3463

    We thought our steak was a little on the pricey side but if you're willing to foot the bill, The Country Club is quite a lovely spot to have dinner, with its vaguely clubby atmosphere and commanding view of the golf course. We also liked the starter of kobe beef carpaccio, salad of baby field greens with sherry vinaigrette, side of creamed corn with bacon and marvelously tender blackened ahi. (8/1/08)

    Overall: A $$$$

    http://www.lvrj.com/neon/52169132.html

    Ticket Tricks

    BEYONCÉ, MIDLER, LOCAL SHOWS OFFERING PACKAGES, ALTERING PRICES TO LURE AUDIENCES. By Sonja Pagdett/LVRJ

    In one of Beyoncé's biggest hits, she tells a man that he "should have put a ring on it" if he wanted to continue seeing her.

    Beyoncé might need to put a ring on the hand of every fan to justify the ticket prices for her upcoming shows at Encore. Including taxes and fees, the cheapest tickets for the special performances, titled "I Am … Yours," cost $279.40. The others will set you back $554.40, $829.40 and $1,104.40 a piece.

    So far this year, Beyoncé's concerts have been doing well, selling an average of 11,000 tickets and grossing more than $1 million per city in the United States, says Gary Bongiovanni, editor-in-chief of Pollstar, a trade publication that covers the concert industry.

    But that's with an average ticket price of $97.27. With tickets costing hundreds of dollars, she's automatically shrinking her Vegas audience, Bongiovanni says.

    More here:

    http://www.lvrj.com/neon/52169147.html

    Casino Guide: Palms Casino Resort and Palms Place Hotel & Spa.

    The Palms has come along way since its "Real World" debut in 2002. The resort has since added the Fantasy Tower and Palms Place, featuring 599 suites, making it a premier destination for tourists and visiting celebrities alike.

    Outside of Palms Place, the hotel features more than 700 rooms and a series of extreme fantasy suites. For guests who don’t want to stay in the 2,900-square-foot Real World Suite, the Hardwood Suite with a half-sized basketball court or the King Pin Suite with two bowling lanes might be more up their alley. Other luxury options include the hip-hop-laden Crib Suite, the bachelorette party-friendly Hot Pink Suite or the Erotic Suite.

    Hotel options aside, it’s no wonder why so many are attracted to the Palms. The resort offers some of the best nightlife in town, beginning with ghostbar, 55-stories above the casino floor, which offers one of the best views of the Strip. Hundreds of feet below, the 1,500-seat, state-of-the-art nightclub and showroom venue Rain draws fun-loving partygoers every weekend. The revamped-but-still-vintage Playboy Club is where gaming and nightlife come together, complete with cotton-tailed Bunny dealers. Topping off the nightlife options above the Playboy Club is Moon. With a retractable roof and space-inspired atmosphere, it’s a great place for guests to kick up their heels.

    The resort features a food court and eight restaurants. At Alizé, diners can enjoy floor-to-ceiling views as well as gourmet meals; at Little Buddha, with its crimson, gold and celadon decorations, food is served in the shadow of a giant Buddha statue. A walk through the Sky Tube to Palms Place yields Simon, where diners can feast on chef Kerry Simon’s comfort food and famous Sunday brunch.

    With all these amenities and a hip atmosphere, the Palms makes each guest feel like a celebrity.

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/casinos/palms-casino-resort/

    Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Jerry Seinfeld lighting up Las Vegas. By Melissa Arseniuk/Las Vegas Sun.

    Beyoncé Knowles and her superstar husband, Jay-Z, are in town for the final four shows of the North American tour of Knowles’ alter ego, Sasha Fierce.

    The first of the four performances took place in the Encore Showroom last night and the intimate concerts will continue through Sunday night.

    The official afterparty will take place at Blush tonight while the bigger, better blow-out, the Beyoncé North American tour wrap party, will go down at XS on Sunday after the show.

    Jay-Z was at Tao late late Wednesday night but had to get his food to go after a phone call came in prompting the rapper/producer/former Def Jam Records CEO to rush out.

    More here:

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/31/beyonc-jay-z-jerry-seinfeld-lighting-las-vegas/

    Metro: Prostitution, drug activity found at topless Rio pool. BY: Amanda Finnegan/Las Vegas Sun.

    Metro Police officers made arrests for “prostitution-related activity” Saturday at the Rio’s Sapphire Pool, police said Wednesday, which resulted in the hotel-casino’s decision to close the pool.

    Metro spokesman Bill Cassell said officers in plain clothing did a routine enforcement operation at the topless pool Saturday and arrested 11 people. Cassell didn’t know whether those arrested were employees of the Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club.

    More here:

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/29/metro-prostitution-activity-found-topless-rio-pool/

    Vince Neil helps O’Shea’s celebrate its 20th anniversary at center Strip: By Robin Leach/Las Vegas Sun.

    Congratulations to the staff and executives at the oft-forgotten O’Shea’s at center Strip on its 20th anniversary. Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil will be part of tomorrow’s all-out blowout birthday bash right before he joins his band mates for Crue Fest 2 in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.

    It will be an all-day celebration tomorrow at the Strip’s most uninhibited casino, and Vince’s appearance will be at 5 p.m. to blow out the candles on the cake and gift some lucky spectators with last-minute tickets for his Motley Crue concert! Vince’s tattoo shop Vince Neil Ink is located at O’Shea’s.

    Hotel officials also will unveil the new area of the World Series of Beer Pong events, with the finals culminating in January in the neighboring and sister hotel Flamingo.

    It will be a very busy weekend for Vince. On Sunday night, he officially throws the doors wide open on his Dr. Feelgood’s Rock Bar & Grill with a VIP grand opening with partner Danny “Count" Koker. Vince also will perform with his own band at 10 p.m. onstage on West Sahara, an easy ride from his home here.

    Vince recently gave an intriguing interview about his battles with drug and alcohol abuse. He says that rehab rarely works because it’s temporary quitting. He says, “Most people go to rehab just to dry out, not to actually stop drinking or doing drugs. Actually, they go there because they've been given an ultimatum by their wife or boss. They're not there for themselves; they’re there because someone wants them to be there. That’s why it doesn't work. You have to go when you want to go.”

    Vince admits that although he’s been off drugs for 15 years, he will always be battling those demons but is happy to have the occasional drink. “That doesn’t hurt,” he chuckled.”

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/robin-leachs-las-vegas-celebrity-watch/2009/jul/31/vince-neil/

    Jubilee!, the Strip’s longest-running show, celebrates 28 years. BY Robin Leach/Las Vgeas Sun.

    Glitz, glamour and glitter are synonymous with classic Las Vegas and also with the extravaganza Jubilee! that officially celebrates its 28th anniversary this weekend. Congratulations to cast, crew and officials at Bally’s, where the show has entertained more than 11 million guests.

    The near-three-decade-long production of gorgeous showgirls, lavish costumes from Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee, dazzling scenery, dynamic music, topless pageantry in feathers and sequins and world famous specialty acts was conceived, staged and directed by the legendary and late Donn Arden, who first brought the French-styled, long-running revue Lido de Paris to Las Vegas.

    Those 85 stunning showgirls in the cast have been featured on TV shows including The Tyra Banks Show and NBC’s Today. The elaborate production is performed twice nightly, and three times a week there’s a backstage tour for a limited number of guests. You’ll see how “the sinking of the Titanic” happens and how the stage nearly falls apart in the Samson and Delilah act.

    Every January and July, the show has auditions for new singers and dancers to stay fresh and to shine brighter than the rhinestones on the costumes, particularly for the Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Ziegfeld Follies finale. With this year’s closing of Folies Bergere at the Tropicana, Jubilee! is now the only showgirl production still standing that keeps sexy and classic Las Vegas alive.

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/robin-leachs-las-vegas-celebrity-watch/2009/jul/31/emjubileeem-strips-longest-running-show-celebrates/

    Magic touch on command

    Kentuckian Lance Burton says you’re not for real until you’ve performed at a family cookout. BY: Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun.

    Most nights magician Lance Burton performs in his multimillion-dollar theater at the Monte Carlo, surrounded by the bright lights of the Strip.

    In September his stage was the back of a flatbed truck, his showroom a tent at his mother’s 100-acre family farm near Louisville.

    “I try to get back to Kentucky a couple of times a year,” Burton says. “Last year my mom’s doctor, a good friend of the family for many years, wanted to invite his employees out to our family farm for a big cookout. I told mom I would do a little magic show for everybody.

    “Now, I tell everyone if you have never done a magic show from the back of a flatbed, you haven’t done a magic show.”

    More here:

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/22/magic-touch-command/

    Club taking its humor up Strip to the Sahara

    Proprietor thinks venue’s history is a good match for his show. BY Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun.

    After almost 20 years at the south end of the Strip, the Comedy Stop will try its luck at the north end.

    The club owned by Bob Kephart provided some of the funniest comedy in town at the Tropicana until Kephart walked away from the faltering resort on April 2.

    The club reopens tonight at the Sahara’s historic Congo Room. “The Sahara bent over backward to bring in the club,” Kephart says. “They have really, really gone out of their way.”

    The Comedy Stop will share the room with the Platters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters and the Marvelettes, who perform at 7:30 p.m. Comedy takes over at 9 p.m. nightly. The first week’s lineup features host Jimmie “JJ” Walker, Rick Crom and Louis Ramey.

    More here:

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/20/club-taking-its-humor-strip-sahara/

    Playful and ageless, Charo a sultry sensation still. BY Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun.

    There is a framed black-and-white photograph of Charo on the wall at the Riviera. It is dated 1982.

    That was 27 years ago. Charo somehow looks even better now.

    How old is Charo?

    Judging solely from Charo’s astonishing performance at the Riviera — she’s here for a five-month run — let’s just call her ageless, timeless, eternal.

    More here:

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/20/playful-and-ageless-charo-sultry-sensation-still/

    New location on Strip suits ‘Menopause the Musical’ By: Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun.

    Alan Glist has almost perfect pitch when it comes to choosing musicals.

    He’s produced such hits as “Zorba,” “Nine,” “My One and Only,” “Ring of Fire” and “La Cage Aux Folles,” and his GFour Productions has won 30 Tony Awards, 38 Drama Desk Awards and 10 Outer Critics Circle Awards.

    But he admits he was a bit tone deaf when his wife, Kathi, pitched him a musical about women going through the change. It just didn’t strike a chord.

    “I said I don’t think so, not a show called ‘Menopause the Musical,’ ” Glist said.

    Fortunately, his wife persuaded him to take a chance.

    “I want to tell you I’m so happy I listened to Kathi,” Glist said. “It has become a little phenomenon. I’m so happy Jeanie Linders had a hot flash while she was drinking a glass of wine one night.”

    Linders’ flash debuted in March 2001 in Orlando, Fla., in a 76-seat theater that once housed a perfume shop. Since then, “Menopause the Musical” has been seen by more than 11 million fans and has been performed in more than 250 U.S. cities and in 14 foreign countries.

    The musical debuted this month at the Luxor after routinely packing the Las Vegas Hilton’s Shimmer Cabaret.

    “Menopause the Musical” revolves around four women who meet at a lingerie sale at Bloomingdale’s. From diverse backgrounds, they have one thing in common — they are experiencing menopause.

    Song parodies fit the menopause theme. “Puff the Magic Dragon” becomes “Puff, My God, I’m Draggin’,” “My Guy” morphs into “My Thighs” and the disco era’s anthem turns into “Stayin’ Awake! Stayin’ Awake!”

    The ensemble includes Queen Emily David, Paige O’Hara, Laura Lee O’Connell and Annette Houlihan Verdolino.

    After almost four years at the Hilton, Glist wanted to move the show to the Strip.

    Linders likes the move to the Luxor. “We have a new set design, fabulous lighting. We went from being a wonderful off-Broadway show to a fabulous off-Broadway show.”

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/14/new-location-strip-suits-menopause-musical/

    ‘Top Chef,’ Las Vegas style, begins next month.Season six to premiere at 9 p.m. on Aug. 26 on Bravo. By Melissa Arseniuk/Las Vegas Sun.

    It’s official: Las Vegas will make its small screen “Top Chef” debut next month.

    After much anticipation and speculation Bravo TV announced today that season six of the hit series will premiere at 9 p.m. on Aug. 26.

    “Our newest season was the best yet," “Top Chef’s” top judge, well-known restaurateur Tom Colicchio, said.

    "Las Vegas has become a culinary destination – some of the world's best chefs and restaurants are here – so it's only fitting,” he said.

    More here:

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/08/top-chef-las-vegas-style-begins-next-month/

    ‘Ice’ should be a cool respite, but it’s really no treat.Show doesn’t offer enough pizazz for price. By Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun.

    What could be more precious in a desert city in the summer than ice? Glittering, clear, cooling, clinking ice.

    You would think that a show called “Ice” would be popular among Las Vegas locals. After just a few days of triple-digit temperatures, many of us would line up to see a musical called “Air Conditioning.”

    But there’s a reason you probably don’t know anyone who has seen “Ice,” which is subtitled “The Show From Russia,” an ice-skating revue now in its second year at the Riviera.

    More here:

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/06/ice-should-be-cool-respite-its-really-no-treat/

    Smokey Robinson’s surprise appearance with Human Nature. By Robin Leach/Las Vegas Sun.

    It was the night Las Vegas had been waiting for weeks to happen! At first, everybody bet the bank that on opening night at the Imperial Palace Showroom, Motown mastermind Smokey Robinson would join his Australian discoveries Human Nature for an onstage performance.

    Instead, Smokey just introduced them and then hung out at his VIP booth with ex-Supremes member Mary Wilson to watch the show as they sang and danced along with the sensational four-man Aussie group.

    Last night, an unsuspecting audience had the treat of their lives. Human Nature’s show came to a sudden stop at the halfway point, and the quartet introduced Smokey as he walked onstage. The audience immediately cheered and gave the superstar legend a standing ovation.

    Then together they all performed his classic “Tracks of My Tears,” and the audience was back on its feet again with another standing ovation at the end of the number. It was only one song, but one of those very magic moments of Strip showbiz!

    Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was right there to record this historic photo gallery. Smokey and the members of Human Nature — Toby Allen, Phil Burton and brothers Michael & Andrew Tierney — all agreed that it was an extraordinary and memorable experience.

    Click HERE for our opening night coverage of Human Nature and our interview with Smokey. He has been in negotiations with President Don Marrandino and the show’s producer for him to make Strip appearances at the Human Nature showroom on Fridays when the boys take their night off. Negotiations haven’t concluded in getting dates set and ticket prices established, but last night may have been the first step in that coming to fruition.

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/robin-leachs-las-vegas-celebrity-watch/2009/jul/29/smokey-robinsons-surprise-appearance-human-nature/

    Michael Jackson concert celebration is set for Aug. 29 birthday. By Robin Leach/Las Vegas Sun.

    Mark your schedule now for the Michael Jackson celebration tribute concert on what would have been his 51st birthday on Aug. 29. That’s also my birthday, and I’ll emcee the ceremony to start it all off with the unveiling of a star dedicated to him at the Brenden Theatres in the Palms. Then for one performance only, our top entertainers will join together for a special performance titled “Las Vegas Celebrates the Music of Michael Jackson.”

    In this multi-artist production celebrating the many hits of the King of Pop, entertainers including cast members of Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Peepshow and Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular will perform the hits of Michael’s songbook. The show also will include video montages from those who knew Michael or were inspired by his work. A 10-piece band comprised of musicians led by Las Vegas’ own Joey Melotti will back the multifaceted acts. Additional performers and event details will be announced in coming weeks.

    This special event will commemorate and celebrate Michael’s life while raising funds to help kids across the U.S. and right here in Nevada keep music alive in schools. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit music education programming in Clark County public schools.

    “I can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to the person who inspired me and a whole generation of performers. This event helps keep the music of Michael Jackson alive while raising money to make sure music education stays alive in schools in our community,” said host and co-producer Erich Bergen of Jersey Boys.

    http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/robin-leachs-las-vegas-celebrity-watch/2009/jul/24/michael-jackson-concert-celebration-set-aug-29-bir/

    Newsletter , , , , , , ,

  • Green Vegas: Booking your Trip

    Posted on July 31st, 2009 LVE No comments

    Vegas is more sustainable than most people realize, so this is the first in a series of postings about how you can or Vegas is great blue herondealing with environmental issues like global warming, water sustainability and resource management.  Our bright city in a desert seems like an oxymoron of sustainable development.  Yet, Vegas has actually reduced its water consumption (not just the percentage of water used) over the past decade, despite its growth.  CityCenter may be the largest green commercial development in the world and, nearby, little Boulder City is burning up the West with its rapid growth in the solar industry.

     

    While green washing is a problem and we invite scrutiny to any product or company we recommend, we ran across Green Bookings, a travel planning site that doesn’t promise you the lowest air, hotel and restaurant prices, but does calculate the carbon footprint of your travel and automatically invest in green energy and technology to offset your trip.  So enjoy Vegas, indulge (but hang up your towel), and know you’ve done your part for the environment.

     

    Image of blue heron on Lake Mead by Alan Goya.

     

    Follow me on Twitter @nvwriter.


    Deals & Discounts, Resources, Travel Tips - General Information, Vegas, airfare, bookings, environment, green, hotel rates, sustainability, sustainable, travel, water , , , , , , ,

  • Sapphire Poker Tournament at Hard Rock

    Posted on July 30th, 2009 LVE No comments
    sapphirepoker.jpg


    There's still time to make your way to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

    Not because of the brand new hotel tower that just opened up, but for a $5000 guaranteed poker tournament.

    And not just for a poker tournament, but to compete with at least 25 girls from the Sapphire gentlemen's club.

    We suppose these are the girls that no longer go to the Sapphire pool at Rio.

    Date is July 31 at 7 p.m., buy-in is $65 (the equivalent of 3 lapdances) and tournament takes place in the new Poker Lounge.

    For more information, call (702) 69FLUSH.

    Entertainment & Nightlife , , , , , , ,

  • Las Vegas Sands Posts Second Quarter Loss

    Posted on July 30th, 2009 LVE No comments

    Las Vegas Sands, operator of The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas and several casinos in Macau, posted a loss of $171 million for the second quarter of 2009.

    http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=185629&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1314517&highlight=

    Looking at the details, they had two large one-time charges and without those, they'd have swung to a $22 million profit. Those charges include a non-cash impairment related to the shopping complex at The Palazzo, worth substantially less than originally thought.

    LVS, which is building a new property in Singapore, believes it can realize $500 million in annualized efficiencies through cost cutting. They're not all that specific about what they want to do but that's a big number... I'm sure you intrepid readers could suggest a few things they could cut back on, no?


    Business of Gaming , , , , , , ,

  • Caesars Palace

    Posted on July 30th, 2009 LVE No comments

    VegasMediaGroup posted a photo:

    Caesars Palace

    LasVegas, Vegas, caesarspalace, july2009, mikech, ratevegas, stripwalk, vegasmediagroup , , , , , , ,

  • Aria [Flickr]

    Posted on July 30th, 2009 LVE No comments

    VegasMediaGroup posted a photo:

    Aria

    LasVegas, Vegas, aria, citycenter, july2009, mikech, projectcitycenter, ratevegas, stripwalk, vegasmediagroup , , , , , , ,

  • Aria

    Posted on July 30th, 2009 LVE No comments

    VegasMediaGroup posted a photo:

    Aria

    LasVegas, Vegas, aria, citycenter, july2009, mikech, projectcitycenter, ratevegas, stripwalk, vegasmediagroup , , , , , , ,

  • Aria

    Posted on July 30th, 2009 LVE No comments

    VegasMediaGroup posted a photo:

    Aria

    LasVegas, Vegas, aria, citycenter, july2009, mikech, projectcitycenter, ratevegas, stripwalk, vegasmediagroup , , , , , , ,

  • Monte Carlo

    Posted on July 30th, 2009 LVE No comments

    VegasMediaGroup posted a photo:

    Monte Carlo

    LasVegas, Vegas, july2009, mikech, montecarlo, ratevegas, stripwalk, vegasmediagroup , , , , , , ,
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