Yee-ha!

What would the holiday season be without the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo?

Beginning tomorrow (Dec. 1) and running through Dec. 11, cowboy up at the Thomas & Mack Center with bull riding, barrel racing, live auctions, the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, and parties galore. During the next week and a half, Las Vegas transforms into the old West, where you'll need a cowboy hat to fit in.

Launching the NFR from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Fremont Street will be the 19th Annual Downtown Hoedown with free performances by country singers Joe Diffie and Neal McCoy.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Gaming Expo at Fiesta Rancho has been cancelled, but one of the speakers still remains, and he's speaking for free.

On Dec. 2 and 11 a.m., video poker extraordinaire Bob Dancer will present his seminar "Secrets of a Video Poker Winner" at Fiesta Rancho's Club Tequila (2400 North Rancho Dr.).

Afterwards, you're invited to join Dancer at a free buffet lunch.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The main page of Luxor offers some twofers (2-for-1 buffet, IMAX, spa, King Tut admission) as well as Mandalay Place shopping certificates ($250 value), a free upgrade to a deluxe tower room (which, ahem, is the same price as the pyramid room), and $10 off per night if you book your reservation online.

If you're a member of The Nile Scroll, Luxor's online registry, you'll get on an email list offering other deals such as this one (but which is good for everyone):

• Book three nights between Dec. 11-24, get one free. Call 888-777-0188 with offer code FREE1.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You may know Sapphire (3025 S. Industrial Rd.) as the largest strip club in the world -- 71,000 square feet and $25 million ($352 per square foot) invested in a multi-level former warehouse with three bars.

What you may not know is from Dec. 2-10 between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., Sapphire hosts the 2nd Annual Topless Bullriding Contest, emceed by Hollywood Don Yates.

Admission is $20 ($10 for locals), but if you wear a hat you'll get in for free.

Special offers include prize giveaways, drink specials, and $1 lapdance specials.

The question is, can you volunteer to be the bull?

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

On Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m., the soundtrack to Le Reve launches with a performance and CD listening party in the Chambertin Meeting Room at Wynn Las Vegas.

Created by Dragone, Le Reve is the only show in Vegas performed in the round, enveloping the audience in a theatrical experience combining elements of air and water.

The soundtrack features 16 original Benoit Jutras songs and is performed by a seven-piece band, including two vocalists and five musicians.

Sold only at the Wynn Las Vegas Show Shop (and eBay), the CD can be had for $24 including tax.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The International Gem & Jewelry Show offers a three-day jewelry bazaar at the Convention Center (3150 Paradise Rd.) on Dec. 2 (Noon-6 p.m.), Dec. 3 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), and Dec. 4 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Find the lowest prices and the largest selection of beads, rings, necklaces, earrings, gold, silver, opals, minerals, diamonds, pearls, crystals, watches, and settings.

Admission is $7, and children 16 and under get in free with an adult (no strollers).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want to see Barry Manilow for free?

On Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Manilow will tape Barry Manilow: Music and Passion for later airing on PBS.

Free tickets are available for both shows by following these steps:

• You can go to both shows, but you must specify which show(s) you want to attend
  
• Request no more than four tickets per show
  
• Submit your name, the show(s) you want to attend, the number of tickets you are requesting, and your email address to pbstaping@manilow.com
  
• All ticket requests must be received by today, Nov. 28
  
• Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis
  
• You will receive a ticket confirmation via email by Monday, Dec. 5
  
• Tickets will be available at the Hilton on Monday, Dec. 12 and details of the pick-up location will be emailed to you
  

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Through the end of the year, the trendy Rainbow Bar & Grill (4480 Paradise Road, across the street from Hard Rock) offers an early bird special of 2-for-1 entrees between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.

Just let your server know you'd like the two-for-one special and you'll get your second entree of equal or lesser value for free.

Vegas' answer to Denny's (and originating on Los Angeles's Sunset Boulevard), the 24-hour Rainbow Bar & Grill has been host to many a celebrity sighting sobering up. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served around the clock in a 7,500-square-foot restaurant with a Hollywood theme. It includes two dining rooms with plasma TVs, a year-round outdoor patio, and a lounge for live entertainment.

You might also be interested to know that Rainbow Bar & Grill doesn't have a gaming license, which means you're free from the addicting and otherwise tempting video poker machines.

For more information and to make a reservation, call (702) 898-3525.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you've been missing Wayne Newton, you can find him officiating the annual Vegas Christmas tree lighting tonight at 6 p.m.

Stationed at Caesars Palace, the 60-foot Christmas tree features 216,510 twinkling multi-colored lights, which bigger-is-better Caesars is quick to point out is more than twice as many lights as the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Writer Hunter S. Thompson has his own beer named after him. Stop by the Freakin' Frog Pub, 4700 S. Maryland Parkway to sample the memorial Gonzo Imperial Porter.

Young celebrities are coming to Las Vegas to party it up for their 21st birthdays. Most recently Kelly Osbourne and Ashlee Simpson were spotted tearing it up in Las Vegas for their 21st birthdays.

The Miami Herald has a great article on the changing face of Las Vegas. They noted that Las Vegas is no longer viewed as a seedy town full of hard-luck gamblers. It's also no longer viewed as a place to take the entire family. These days Las Vegas is getting recognized for a burgeoning arts district, an epicenter for culinary appreciation with the addition of several new top notch restaurants, dazzling new shows that are rivaling Broadway, and the addition of spas. They specifically note how the quality of food at the buffet's has risen incredibly.

Looking for work? Red Rock Resort is about to hire 2,600 new workers. Red Rock Resort is the newest addition to the Station Casinos and is supposed to open by March of 2006 and over 100,000 people are expected to apply for various jobs in over 30 different departments.

Posted by Haley Slovin at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fresh off a Hard Rock penthouse suite trashing to the tune of $100,000 to celebrate pop star Kelly Osbourne's 21st birthday last week, Paris Hilton picked up a kinkajou in Las Vegas and named it Baby Luv.

The kinkajou, a primate that's a distant relative of the racoon, is native to South and Central America and is illegal in Los Angeles.

Known for disposing billionaire heir boyfriends as fast as pet animals, her Baby Luv had its own sweet revenge while on a shopping spree at a lingerie store at Caesars Forum Shops. As Hilton chose between undergarments, the primate bit and clawed at her face. She was able to calm the animal in time to purchase $4,000 worth of bras and panties, including a bullwhip, hopefully not to teach poor Baby Luv a lesson.

Authorities have notified Hilton that she must return the animal to a sanctuary or else risk being put to sleep. The animal, not Paris. Aiding and abetting an illegal species could also add a misdemeanor charge to the hotel heiress's resume.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Dec. 3 at 8 p.m., the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Performing Arts Center opens the holiday season with "An Evening with Betty Buckley."

Part of the New York Stage & Beyond Series, the concert will feature showtunes and holiday classics.

Betty Buckley won a Tony Award for her performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats and a nomination for Triumph of Love. She also received an Olivier Award nomination for Webber's Sunset Boulevard.

Tickets are $45, $60, and $90 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center box office at 702-895-2787 or at pac.unlv.edu.

UNLV student rush tickets are available one hour before for $12.50. Student ID must be presented.

UNLV faculty and staff discounts will also be available.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, Nov. 25 is Family Fun Inflatable Swim Day at the Whitney Ranch Indoor Pool (1575 Galleria Dr., Henderson, 702-267-5870) and the Henderson Multigenerational Center Indoor Pool (250 S. Green Valley Pkwy., Henderson, 702-267-5824).

Hours for Family Fun are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Recreational swimming continues through 9 p.m.

Inflatable pool toys will be provided free of charge, and you may also bring your own.

Admission is free for children under 2 and adults 55 and older, $1 for children 3-17, and $2 for everyone else.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sylvester Stallone is back in the boxing ring for Rocky Balboa, the sixth installment of the popular Rocky movie series, and you can join him!

BeInAMovie.com offers the chance to be an extra in a boxing scene between Stallone and Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver on Dec. 4, 6, 7, or 8 in Las Vegas beginning at 9 a.m. (Dec. 5 is full).

The cast includes Burt Young and sportcasters Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, Max Kellerman, and Jim Rome.

To sign up and for more information, visit BeInAMovie.com or call (323) 653-4105.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

This morning at 11:30, former President Jimmy Carter signs copies of his new book Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis at Borders, 2323 S. Decatur Blvd. (702-258-0999).

The book takes readers into what President Carter thinks threatens today's democratic freedom.

Recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, President Carter will meet fans and autograph books only (no memorabilia), but unfortunately will be unable to personalize messages.

No photographs are allowed and no purses or bags will be allowed in the line.

Because of the crowd expected, wristbands will be distributed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis to hold a place in line. Holding a place in line doesn't necessarily guarantee a meeting, however.

For more information, contact Greg Near at 801-355-6327 or gnear2@bordersgroupinc.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's another reason to get a free player's card whenever you visit a casino.

When you play at a Harrah's casino with your Total Rewards card, your table and slot play are recorded and rated.

Depending on your level of play, Harrah's then floods your mailbox with offers of freeplay, food, rooms, and other complimentaries designed to lure you back into the casino.

In Joliet, Ill., Harrah's sent a few coupons to the high rollers: a coupon worth $525 as free cash, valid at the casino through Dec. 16.

Trouble was, Harrah's mistakenly sent these coupons to over 11,000 players... including people it wasn't intended for.

More than a typo, the coupon states the numerical and spelled-out amount of $525, along with the words "cash" three times and that it should be presented to the casino cashier for redemption.

Many players found Harrah's reneging on the coupon, citing the coupon's flip side stating a disclaimer that reserves the right to change or cancel the offer at any time.

The Illinois Gaming Board looked into the matter and ruled that Harrah's must honor every coupon, costing the casino almost $5.8 million for the error.

Harrah's blames the error on a third-party vendor. There's now an opening for a new vendor.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Being a family blog, we respectfully decline the display of titillating photos of half-nude dancers that would normally be undulating in this space.

Still, we wanted to include at least something to break up the monotony of verbiage, so here's a basketful of kittens.

We're scratching our heads at the allure behind food and strip clubs, but football and strip clubs... well now, that's a different story.

A handful of gentlemen's clubs offer specials centered around Monday Night Football and you still have a few more weeks to take advantage.

We've done the legwork for you and present it below along with other specials we've also come across during our, uh, research:

Cheetah's (2112 Western Ave, 702-384-0074). Free admission if arriving in your own transportation (no taxis or limos). Monday Night Football prizes, beginning at 6 p.m. Pizza-eating contest, beer-guzzling contest. Free pizza and wings, happy hour on Budweiser. Cheetah's is featured prominently in the cult film Showgirls.

Little Darlings (1514 Western Ave., 702-366-1141). In many of the free weeklies, Little Darlings has a coupon in the back good for free admission.

Olympic Garden (1531 Las Vegas Blvd., 702-385-9361). Monday Night Football prizes, beginning at 6 p.m., including big screen TV, Sin City Sandrail. Free food, $1 half-time lapdances, $10 beer buckets.

Play It Again, Sam (4120 Spring Mountain Rd., 702-876-1550). All-you-can-eat lunch buffet Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday Night Football, free buffet, half-price lapdances, 2-for-1 drinks, free NFL jerseys and hats. Free lunch/drink coupon off their website.

Pleasures (6370 Windy St., 702-873-8800). Monday nights at 10 p.m., $1000 wet t-shirt contest, Xbox 2006 Madden giveaways. For 2-for-1 drink coupons and lapdance coupons, text message "PLEASURE" to 30364 on your cell. Stripper Karaoke.

Sapphire (3025 Industrial Rd., 702-796-6000). Monday Night Football prizes, beginning at 6 p.m., including big screen TVs, vacations, NFL merchandise. Free food, free admission, $10 Miller buckets, drink specials, $1 half-time lapdances.

Scores (3355 S. Procyon St., 702-367-4000). At the new Scores, in addition to free entry you can get free food and drinks between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. if you're a local and show a business card.

Showgirls (3247 Industrial Rd., 702-894-4167). Free admission before 5 p.m. In many of the free weeklies, Showgirls has a coupon in the back good for free admission.

Sin (3550 W. Quail Ave., 702-673-1700). Free admission if arriving in your own transportation (no taxis or limos).

Treasures (2801 Westwood Dr., 702-257-3030). $10 dances, free lunch 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., $3 drinks.

For customer reviews on these and others, we stumbled on the new website www.vegasstripclubs.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The brand new South Coast Hotel & Casino (9777 Las Vegas Blvd S., 702-796-7111) with a Southern California theme is well ahead of schedule, opening at the end of December.

So far it's this strange beacon of light on the south side of the Strip, currently inaccessible via I-15 (get onto Las Vegas Blvd. and go south, young man).

Celebrate their grand opening with discounted rates off rooms from Dec. 29, 2005 through Feb. 2, 2006:

$59 Sunday-Thursday
$99 Friday-Saturday

Your stay will also include two breakfast buffets and a funbook valued at $200.

Offer does not include Dec. 30-31 and expires Feb. 2, 2006.

To book, click here or call 1-866-791-7626 with promotion code ED0106.

South Coast also offers a Stay and Play contest with free slotplay, dinner, and two-night stay.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you're seeking a show where you're guaranteed to laugh, try Second City at the Flamingo.

Four years in residence, Second City performs six nights a week with an intermission-less show that's a combination of pre-rehearsed skits and lightning-fast improv based on audience suggestions. Come prepared with objects, places, and situations in advance to yell out to challenge the quintet of actors (three guys and two gals) even more.

There's a Vegas slant to the show, often spoofing other currently running productions. The evening I went, they had a series of skits involving a "high speed" gondola chase at The Venetian.

If you use the above 2-for-1 coupon, you'll laugh twice as hard. Or maybe half as hard. Good thing yours truly doesn't have a math degree.

The coupon code is HLVENWS (if you reserve over the phone at 1-800-221-7299) and is good until Jan. 31, 2006. If the people get testy about accepting an Internet coupon, just say you found it here, which is where we found it.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before gaming, before hotels, before the tourists...

If you feel like soaking in some culture for free without stepping out of the house, check out UNLV Libraries' "Before Gaming: Celebrating Las Vegas' Centennial 1905-2005."

This online exhibit culls together 37 photographs from private collections of families who arrived in Las Vegas around its inception: Helen Stewart, Walter Bracken, William Ferron, Ed Von Tobel, and Fred and Maurine Wilson.

Accompanying each photo is a narrative description. The exhibit may also be searched by topics.

These are some of the earliest pictures known of Las Vegas.

For other early photos of Vegas, visit Early Las Vegas: A Digital Collection with photos including this one from 1948 Fremont Street (where shrimp cocktail was still 99 cents):

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spanish restaurant Cafe Ba Ba Reeba (3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South at Fashion Show Mall, 702-258-1211) offers a special cooking class every month for $35 plus tax.

Next Saturday, Nov. 26, Chef Angel Gandarilla leads a class on how to cook the perfect Paella.

The class begins at 10 a.m. with a light breakfast of churos, coffee and juice. Guests will then enjoy a tasting of three tapas while Chef Angel guides them through the cooking process of paella. Once the perfect paella is finished, it is served to all along with sample of both red and white spanish wines. Dessert will follow.

Paella cookbooks are included, and paella cooking kits will also be available for purchase.

Reservations are required by calling 702-258-1211 or signing up at the restaurant.

Cafe Ba Ba Reeba also offers a happy hour Monday-Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. where sangria is half-price and tapas are $3 at the bar.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The website www.mammamiaoffers.com has a special $50 dinner voucher when you purchase two orchestra tickets to Mamma Mia (at Mandalay Bay).

The voucher is good at any of Mandalay Bay's restaurants. If you can't decide, try Aureole. If you you can't find someone to go with, try your ol' pal R.C. Especially if you're paying!

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Miss America 2005 Deidre Downs, taking time off from curing cancer

It's official -- after 84 years of strolling up and down the Boardwalk of Atlantic City, N.J., Miss America is walking the Strip.

Next year, the Miss America pageant moves to the Aladdin (soon to be Planet Hollywood in late 2006) casino in Las Vegas where it will stay for at least one year. The Miss America organization will remain in Atlantic City.

The low-rated pageant is also moving networks, jumping ship from ABC (which won't be airing it for the first time since 1954) and moving to cable channel Country Music Television where it will air live in a two-hour broadcast on Jan. 21, 2006 at 8 p.m. ET. CMT has options on a multi-year deal.

No word on who will be this year's host.

If ratings don't improve, expect the pageant to take to the road, find another network, change into a reality show, or bury the tiara forever.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not to be outdone by Miss America, famous "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss also announced a move to Nevada. Specifically, 80 miles outside Las Vegas in Nye County to open Nevada's first den of prostitution... for women.

Fleiss, who has said "men are all pigs, I love them though," ran a prostitution ring in Los Angeles, Calif., for high-powered businessmen and men in show business. She was convicted on money laundering, pandering, and tax evasion, served 21 months in prison, and was released in 1999.

Joe Richards, her partner in "Heidi's Stud Farm," owns three Nevada brothels and would be converting one of them (The Cherry Patch Ranch) to the new male bordello into a Hollywood theme and a $250 hourly rate.

Richards would be the sole name on the license; Nevada law can refuse brothel licenses to convicted felons, so Fleiss' official position would be as a "madam hostess" (wink, wink, but we know she won't be "accountant").

Nye County is one of 10 Nevada counties where prostitution is legal.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)

Yes, yes, we know. With all these announcements of beautiful women coming to Vegas, you may need to blow off some steam. Or at least feed your stomach.

We thought you'd like to know that the new Scores gentlemen's club (3355 Procyon at Desert Inn, formerly Jaguar's, 702-367-4000) has a special offer for locals.

In addition to getting free admission at any time, locals also eat and drink for free from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day. This includes items from Diardi Steakhouse. Just show your business card.

Their website updates this with free cocktails and buffet to anyone with a business card.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas opens their unique floating ice rink this Friday, Nov. 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The 40-foot by 70-foot rink is $15 (adults) and $12 (children) and will be open Monday-Friday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday noon-9 p.m. through Feb. 14, 2006.

All proceeds from ice skating tickets on opening night will go to the March of a Dimes.

Here's a $5 coupon for other dates (just don't use it on a date):

Come celebrate the beginning of winter with holiday activities:

6 p.m.: the Helen Joy Choir serenades guests with holiday songs
6:30 p.m.: ice skating performance
7:15 p.m.: a grand tree lighting ceremony that will light the resort

Santa Claus and his elves will also make an early appearance, posing for photos and taking down gift requests.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An offshoot of the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, the first annual Comedy Festival (not to be confused with the Las Vegas Comedy Festival in January 2006) arrives in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace and Flamingo with more than 50 events taking place from Nov. 17-19. Featured performances include comedians Dave Chappelle, George Lopez, Bill Maher, Dennis Miller, and Jon Stewart. George Carlin was also recently added to the lineup (who's in town through Nov. 30 at Stardust).

Tickets ranging from $25 to $1,500 (for access to all shows) are available for single events and packages via www.ticketmaster.com, 1-877-TCF-FEST, www.thecomedyfestival.com, and the Colosseum box office.

Highlights include:

Thursday, November 17

• "Earth to America!" kicks off The Comedy Festival with a two-hour event featuring America's comedy superstars in a unique evening of comedy, music, and message to raise awareness of issues concerning the environment. This fast-paced show consists of stand-up comedy, videotape vignettes, sketches, musical performances and more. The show's theme focuses on the ultimate environmental issue, global warming. Guests include: Al Franken, Ben Stiller, Cedric the Entertainer, Christopher Guest, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Larry David, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Short, Ray Romano, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Senator John McCain, Steve Martin, Kevin Nealon, Will Ferrell, Tom Hanks, and Wanda Sykes.
  
• Comedian Craig Shoemaker hosts the finals of "Wendy's Stand-Up for Good Taste Comedy Challenge," a national talent search for America's next big thing in comedy, as five comedians vie for a guest appearance on "The Ellen Degeneres Show"
  
• The critically acclaimed sketch comedy group Upright Citizens Brigade with their signature improvised sketch comedy show "ASSSSCAT:Improv." Starring Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, Andy Daly and Stephnie Weir.
  
• Lewis Black and Dave Attell
  
• The cult sensation Lucha Va Voom bring a wild and crazy combination of Mexican wrestlers, sultry striptease performers, and comedy that will leave you astounded. If you like sex, violence and midgets flying at your friends, hold on to your mask and feast your senses on the sexy and psycho world of Lucha Va Voom! Starring: The Chickens, Human Tornado, Angel, Poubelle Twins, Cassandro, Chilango, Tsuki, and Mascarita Sagrada and featuring dances by Karis, Summer Peaches, Ursulina, and Erochica Bamboo. Comedy commentary by Blaine Capatch, Tom Kenny.
  

Friday, November 18

• George Lopez
  
• Dennis Miller tapes a new hour-long HBO special
  
• Bill Maher hosts "For Adults Only" with guests Gilbert Gottfried, Sarah Silverman, and more
  
• Dane Cook
  
• The writers of "Everybody Loves Raymond," executive producer Phil Rosenthal, Tom Caltabiano, Tucker Cawley, Lew Schneider, Steve Skrovan and Jeremy Stevens, and moderator David Wild, take the audience inside the process of creating and keeping a comedy fresh, relevant, and funny over the course of nine seasons
  

Saturday, November 19

• Jerry Seinfeld will be honored with the TCF's first annual The Comedian award given to an artist that has most influenced and furthered the art of comedy. The award event will feature a 60-minute Q&A with Jerry Seinfeld and his stand-up friends Chris Rock and Garry Shandling.
  
• Jon Stewart performs in a rare West Coast stand-up performance
  
• Dave Chappelle
  
• Carlos Mencia with Pablo Francisco
  
• Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
  
• Women With Attitude: hosted by "Curb Your Enthusiasm's" Susie Essman and featuring some of the comedy world's sassiest and funniest comediennes working today
  
• "Family Guy" and "American Dad" creator, executive producer and star Seth MacFarlane performs a live concert of select material from his hilarious comedy album "Family Guy Live in Vegas." Accompanied by an orchestra of 30 musicians, and under the supervision of "Family Guy" composer and music supervisor Walter Murphy, Seth and his co-star Alex Borstein ("MAD TV") bring their animated personas of Peter, Brian and Stewie Griffin (MacFarlane) and Lois Griffin (Borstein) to uproarious life with songs and clips and never-before-seen "Family Guy" material. Says MacFarlane of "Family Guy Live in Vegas," "It's a blend of the rich, lush arrangements of the classic era of Rat Pack Vegas shows combined with the fart jokes of today."
  

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A special benefit show honoring local Armed Forces comes to the Cashman Theatre (850 N. Las Vegas Blvd.) on Friday, Dec. 2.

Hosted by the Kiwanis Club and the Las Vegas Sports Committee, the show features Herb Reed and the Platters, Rich Little, Johnny Hernandez, Jimmy Hopper, and Susan Anton.

More than 200 local service men and women (on leave from the war) will also be in attendance.

Tickets are $45 at the door and $35 in advance.

For more information, email Bob Feeney at bobfeeney@wlgdirect.com or call 702-897-2283.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

During Celine Dion's off-nights, Elton John and his Red Piano tune up the stage of Caesars Palace.

When I saw the show, Elton first appears at one end of the enormous stage and walks across to his piano. Winded, he jokingly said, "No wonder she's so skinny."

The show features Elton at his best, with a full multimedia backdrop and videos by David LaChapelle, including two that feature Pamela Anderson and Justin Timberlake as a young Elton.

You still have 24 more chances to catch his show early in 2006.

If you can't wait that long and want to save $100-$250 per ticket, mark your calendar for Wednesday, Dec. 14, when NBC will broadcast "Elton John: The Red Piano."

This special includes elements from his Las Vegas show, though without the nudity.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Frustrated by the seemingly Pepsification of Las Vegas casinos?

This handy dandy map shows which casinos serve Coca-Cola products and which serve Pepsi.

Another version of the map shows who owns what, in this increasingly confusing time of mega-mergers and monopolies.

These and other useful maps come from www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Auditions for the student short film Regrettable Sins will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Universty of Nevada, Las Vegas by appointment only.

Directed by John Lentz, Regrettable Sins tells the struggle between the good and evil in one man's life.

Filming begins in December. All roles will be paid. SAG and non-union are welcome.

Characters to be cast:

Tim: male lead, early 30s, strong, willed and thoughtful with a dark past.

John: male, 20-35, sophisticated, clean-cut, intellectual with a stern attitude.

Jane: female, 20-35, compassionate but devious with an elegant appearance.

Wife: female, late 20s, beautiful.

Joshua and Michael: good-looking men.

To schedule an audition, email producer Chelsey Layne at ChelseyLayne@yahoo.com. Include the hour you're available, name, phone number and character's name that you are interested in.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Set TIVO for NBC's "Las Vegas" tonight because you'll want to check out PBS's "American Experiences" documentary "Las Vegas: An Unconventional History."

Airing in two parts tonight and tomorrow at 9 p.m. on KLVX-10 (that's in Vegas; check your local listings outside), both are narrated by filmmaker Michael Murphy, written by Emmy Award-winning writer Michelle Ferrari, and produced and directed by Stephen Ives.

With news clips, vintage footage, and reminscences by Steve Wynn, Brian Greenspun, film scholar David Thomson, art critic Dave Hickey, author Nicholas Pileggi, and others, the documentary retells the Las Vegas story from a dustry railroad town to a leading tourist attraction.

You'll also get profiles and stories of interesting locals that pepper the city, including a minister behind 37,000 weddings, a dancer, an aspiring dealer, a hotel chambermaid, a rancher, a realtor, and more.

Part one is "Sin City," airing tonight, Nov. 14.

Part two is "American Mecca," airing tomorrow, Nov. 15.

A companion book will also be released later this month by Bulfinch Press.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Never keen to rest on their laurels, after two years running the seductive and flexible folks at Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity (at New York New York, adults 18 and over) announced new acts for the show.

From their website:

Nicky Dewhurst, who adds comic relief as Christian, has shed his old persona of the Man in Pink from Mystere... and that's not all he sheds! Nicky confesses that this is the most naked he has ever been on stage, but like he says: “It's all just part of the costume!” I love how the costume maker put that twinkle in his eye.

Shannan Calcutt, who adds comic relief as Izzy, comes to us from Canada's west coast. She brings a fresh new face and a refreshing new act, but has most certainly left her inhibitions behind. She is just a darling and will leave audiences scratching their heads asking, “Are they real?” Well, I certainly will never tell.

Hugo Desmarais, who plays Spider Shadow, comes to us from the sexiest part of Canada: the French part! He is a svelte and stealthy Cerceaux artist who swings from his hoop, performing daring feats of aerial acrobatics. In this act, Hugo showcases his aerial hoops, trapeze, dance and acrobatic expertise... not to mention one incredible body!

Ariuntuya Batchuluun, has leapt from the pool and landed safely in a bowl of water on the ZUMANITY stage. This Mongolian beauty displays remarkable flexibility and grace in a spectacular montage of sensual poses. It is truly enchanting to watch as she and Ulziibayer create an incredible world in such a small space.

Ulziibayer Chimed, comes to us from Alegria, where she began as a child performer eleven years ago. Now she is all grown up, exhibiting her incredible talents alongside Ariuntuya in the Waterbowl. Around here she is known as “Och-kee,” but I just call her Ooh La La!

Ebon Grayman, also joins us from Alegria, where he performed Fast Track and Tissue , and enjoyed an extended run as Fleur. For ZUMANITY he has been de-fleured and has metamorphosed into an extremely agile faun ... a young predator, devilish in spirit.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A new weekly radio show debuts at noon today on KDWN 720-AM (Talk Radio).

"Lunchtime With Ira, Live from the Las Vegas Hilton," broadcast live from the Hilton's Shimmer Cabaret, is hosted by Ira David Sternberg, who was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2000 and previously hosted KDWN's "Las Vegas Notebook."

The new show throws the curtain back on celebrities, entertainers, tourism executives, writers, and others behind what goes on in Vegas.

Today's show will feature Rossi Ralenkotter (president/CEO for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority), Norm Clarke (Las Vegas Review-Journal's "Vegas Confidential"), and Jay Kornegay (executive director, Hilton's race and sports SuperBook).

Shows can also be heard on a live stream at www.kdwn.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Rolling Stones are coming to Vegas! The aging rockers added another stop at the MGM for March 2006. They are supposed to play there later this month.

Crime is rampant on campus is written by Lindsay Johnson from UNLV's Rebel Yell. The Harmon Avenue area is the hot spot for crime where car thefts and break-ins are on the rise.

There's also a good write up of The Whiskey, the chic bar at Green Valley Ranch which is a great place for locals to meet other locals. The best part: no cover charge!

In the Review-Journal there was an interesting op-ed piece on spying on casino customers. Big Brother is always watching you in Las Vegas! If you don't know, as pat of the Patriot ACt, the FBI has access to all airplane passenger and hotel/casino guest lists. "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," but beware that the G-men know you are in town.

In gaming news, Harrah's just joined a group that will bring a mega resort to the Caribbean. Construction won't begin until 2007 and the new resprt is scheduled to open in 2010. Harrah's is building a 1,000 room Caesars Resort Hotel and casino. They are hoping it will rival the ultra trendy Atlantis on Paradise Island.

Floating ice rink coming to Vegas? Coming soon at Lake Las Vegas resort!

Las Vegas homeless teens in spotlight discusses the growing problem in Las Vegas regarding runaways and kids living on the street.

Posted by Haley Slovin at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tonight, the Las Vegas Little Theatre opens an additional two shows along with Neil Simon's London Suite which opened last weekend on the mainstage (Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Through Nov. 20. $20).

In the Fischer BlackBox, Never the Sinner (by John Logan and directed by Courtney Sheets) is the true-crime story of Leopold and Loeb in Chicago 1924.

The New York Post says: "Great theatre. One of the year's best! An excellent and compelling play!"

Runs Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Through Nov. 20. $10.

The Insomniac Project premieres Afterlife, a collection of four one-act plays:

• Fast Track by Sandra Hosking, directed by Tony Pillitiere
  
• The Crystal Ball by Donna Spector, directed by Paula Wilkes
  
• Are You Being Served? by J.R. Laplante, directed by Courtney Sheets
  
• Past Lives by Jenny Lyn Bader, directed by Kelly Douglas
  

All shows perform at:

Las Vegas Little Theatre
3920 Schiff Drive (off Valley View Blvd. in Chinatown)
(702) 362-7996

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Aboard an Omni Air International flight from Vegas to Honolulu, another creature was doing some of its own flying.

A marsupial called a sugar glider and native to Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea ran amok down the airplane's cabin.

Or rather, jumped amok. Similar to flying squirrels, the 10-inch-long sugar gliders can jump and glide in the air for dozens of feet from treetop to treetop in their native environment.

In Hawaii, however, they're illegal. Sugar gliders have a penchant for sweet foods, including the nectar of eucalyptus and acacia trees, which include Hawaii's koa. If they were present in Hawaii, they could significantly damage the native tree.

The animal finally landed in a passenger's lap, who turned it over to health inspectors. The fuzzy creature is being held at the Plant Quarantine Branch until plans are made to send it back.

A food pouch and pack of food was found in the airplane restroom, but no one admitted to ownership. The penalty for having an illegal animal is up to $200,000 and up to three years in jail.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At Bellagio's Light this Sunday, Nov. 13, you can get a copy of Madonna's newest album Confessions on a Dance Floor before it hits the stores on Nov. 15. Warner Bros. Records is hosting Madonna's exclusive pre-release party at Light and will be giving away CDs all night.

If you can't wait, you can hear the new ABBA-fied single "Hung Up" and other various songs on her own website.

If you still can't wait like me, you can listen to the entire album for free streamed from MTV's The Leak. Streaming lasts until the release.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hogan Medical Center and Doctors Without Hospitals will host a benefit concert featuring country rock singer Jared Rogers tonight (Nov. 11) at 6 p.m. inside Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill at Harrah's Las Vegas.

You're invited to donate household items for assembly of "Welcome Home!" kits for victims of the 2005 hurricane season as they rebuild their homes and lives.

The goal of this tour, beginning in Las Vegas and ending in Louisiana, is to provide 100,000 kits by the end of the regional tour.

Donators will receive a voucher for a free Corona at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill.

Doctors Without Hospitals is composed of friends and colleagues of various organizations within Tulane University and surrounding communities, many of whom are hurricane evacuees themselves.

"Welcome Home!" suggested items:

Bedroom:
Twin-sheet sets
Full-sheet sets
Pillows
Twin blankets
Full-size blankets

Kitchen:
Skillet
Saucepan
Roaster
Cooking utensil set
Can opener
Cutlery set
Dinner set (heavy duty plastic)
Flatware set
Baking sheet

Kitchen accessories:
Colander
Ice tray
Bread knife
Measuring cup
Sponge
Measuring spoon
Trash can

Bath:
Towel sets
Liquid Soap

Cleaning:
Mop
Broom
Disinfecting cleaner
Laundry detergent

Other:
First aid kit
Flashlight

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Before I became a resident, my friends and I would visit Las Vegas regularly and spend all night gambling, drinking, dancing, and wondering why we paid for the hotel if we barely used it.

One particular night/morning we were completely worn out with aches in all the wrong places. With our significant others left in a different time zone, all we had for comfort was rubbing up against the flamingoes. And those pink creatures definitely don't give back, let me tell you.

All of us could have used a proper massage, but we didn't want to risk jailtime patronizing a massage parlor, and none of us could afford the hotel spa admission much less the massage itself (see above under "gambling").

While wandering the Venetian, we stumbled upon a Brookstone store. These were mostly ignored back home, but here they proved quite useful once we saw what was in the display window: a beckoning piece of furniture with glistening black leather and remote controls with batteries.

Throughout the store were demonstration massage chairs just itching to be taken advantage of. Brookstone had enough that our whole group was able to take in simultaneous massages for a good 20 minutes. Some went another 20. One friend said it was the best massage she's ever had, and it completely worked out the kinks in her neck after the New York New York rollercoaster. I did not disagree.

And all for free.

We soon planned our trips around the Venetian or Caesars Palace -- both casinos that house Brookstones in their shopping areas. Brookstone also became our meeting place -- if someone wandered off, we needn't look to the slot machines, we simply headed to Brookstone.

Even with us kicking off our shoes, the employees didn't seem to mind (if they did, we were prepared to tip), as long as we kept our moans to a minimum so as not to disturb the other customers. A difficult feat in my case; I would marry my massage chair if it were legal in the state of Nevada.

In addition to locations in Caesars and our favorite Venetian, the Brookstone website also shows a store in the Fashion Show Mall (across from Wynn).

Time to break in a new massage chair!

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, play 40 hours of poker at the Las Vegas Hilton (3000 Paradise Rd.) and receive a softball-style navy blue jacket with a Las Vegas Hilton logo.

Click here for a review of the Hilton poker room.

Your poker comps will still accumulate at $1 per hour, so after your 40 hours you can wear your new jacket while eating $40 of comped food.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In honor of Veteran's Day on Friday, Nov. 11, all military veterans who show a valid military ID will get free buffets at Gold Coast, The Orleans, and Suncoast. Just pick one or pick one of each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

All slotplay is also double points on that day.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the For Locals Only department, Smith's Food and Drug stores are having a holiday open house this Saturday, Nov. 12 from noon to 5 p.m.

Pop by one of the 28 stores in Southern Nevada (24 in Las Vegas and 4 in Henderson) to spin and win one of the following groceries every 15 minutes:

• tote bag of apples
  
• small meat and cheese party tray
  
• 8" pumpkin or fruit pie
  
• 1 lb. package of Kroger bacon
  
• half-gallon Private Selection ice cream
  
• set of five Votive candle holders
  
• a grand prize of a complete holiday dinner
  

After all, you never know when a few pounds of bacon may come in handy.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While looking for flowers for my mother to celebrate yesterday's Election Day, I happened to pass by an intriguing new four-storey building on S. Arville St., across the street and in walking distance from The Orleans.

Lo and behold, it's the new strip club/nightclub hybrid that opens Dec. 17.

Seamless (with subtitle "the sexier side of nightlife") will be a "gentlemen's club" by day and "after hours" by night, where you may not be able to tell the difference between dancers and guests.

Like Cinderella at midnight, the switch happens at 4 a.m. The ladies adjourn to the back of the room and the nightclub, er, seamlessly turns into a 10,000-square-foot ultra lounge of $20 million state-of-the-art lighting, audio, and visual designs. Head of promotions is Brandon Roque (of Light and Pure and Ra) and director of food and beverage is Jonathan Klempa (of Curve, though his name is misspelled on the website), so there's a good pedigree at work.

The three floors above the ground floor will be valet parking.

Seamless is at 4740 S. Arville St. and can be reached at (702) 227-5200. To become a dancer, email pfioretti@seamlessclub.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hot Glass Works (5115 S. Dean Martin Dr./Industrial Rd.) offers a live glass-blowing demonstration Nov. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of this month's What's On Coffee Talk.

You'll get a tour of the gallery and workshop, learn about fine art, and get gift ideas for the holidays.

A few attendees will even get a chance to try their hand at handblowing glass flowers.

Snacks, 2-for-1 coupons, coffee, and wine will be available, plus House of Blues music trivia and raffle prizes.

Regular glassblowing demonstrations are every Monday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Casino MonteLago (8 Strada di Villaggio, Henderson, 1-877-553-3555) in Lake Las Vegas has a terrific two-for-one steak dinner deal at their Tenuta restaurant, priced at an already low $6.95. It comes from the What's On magazine and the coupon isn't required -- just say you saw it in What's On.

The offer is good 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and excludes holidays, holiday weekends, and event weekends. It's good for a limited time, though they don't say when it expires.

Also, if you join their player's club called Club Uno, you'll get to try your luck on their guaranteed-win slot machine. Guaranteed, because you keep spinning until you win. Minimum of $5, maximum of $2,500.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Actor Kevin Connelly and hotel heiress Nicky Hilton

There is a great review of Light written by Sonya Padgett from the Review-Journal called Into the Light.

Light is Bellagio's exclusive club and might be one of the places to be seen in Las Vegas. Do not show up unless you are dressed up in your best clubing clothes. If you are a guy, expect to wait in a long line.

Light is a great place for bachelorette parties. I attended once recently and we really liked how they treated our group. Light offers patrons table service for parites of four and more. It's not cheap. For the price of one bottle (minimum of $375) you can get a European-style service with your own personal bouncer, waiter, bus boy and choice of four mixers with your bottle. Non-table drinks are pricey, so don't expect to show up at Light on a budget.

Reservations suggested @ 702-693-8300
Nightclub hours: Thursday - Sunday, 10:30 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.

Posted by Haley Slovin at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I created a photo gallery for the Flaming Lips show at Vegoose. Visit my Phish blog to see some cool pictures!

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you've caught up on sleep from Vegoose, the Never Sleep Again Tour 2005 will be your antidote when it makes a stop at Mandalay Bay's House of Blues tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Independent label Victory Records brings screamo bands Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein, and Aiden to the tour. Tickets are $15 at the box office or the House of Blues website.

Formed in Dayton, Ohio, Hawthorne Heights evolved their style into post-hardcore and screamo, influenced by Led Zeppelin to Quicksand to Shades Apart. Get a sneak peek at some new songs off their new album to be released next year.

Silverstein began in Burlington, Ontario, honing their hardcore sound with songs delving into the thoughts of a stalker and revelations of time and distance.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer calls Aiden the band that "will be taking the world by storm one day in the near future." From Seattle, Aiden combines punk, post-core, and goth, categorizing themselves as "horror rock."

The fourth band, Bayside, bowed out of the tour after a tragic van accident on Halloween in Cheyenne, Wyoming, that killed drummer John "Beatz" Holohan and seriously injured bassist Nick Ghanbarian and drum tech Dan Marino. They will not be replaced in the tour, and a moment of silence will be observed during their set time.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

"Earth to America!" is the two-hour event that opens The Comedy Festival on Nov. 17 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace (for later telecast on TBS Nov. 20).

A mix of comedy and music from America's top comedians and celebrities designed to raise awareness of environmental issues, the show features stand-up comedy, sketches, and music performances from stars including Cedric the Entertainer, Larry David, Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Franken, Christopher Guest, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steve Martin, Senator John McCain, Tim McGraw, Ray Romano, Martin Short, Ben Stiller, Wanda Sykes, and Jeffrey Tambor. With pre-taped vignettes by Jack Black, Rob Corddry, Will Ferrell, Kevin Nealon, Jimmy Neutron, The Simpsons, Spongebob, and Robin Williams.

Cost is $54.55 to $113.64.

Produced by Laurie David (wife of "Curb your Enthusiasm" and "Seinfeld" curmudgeon Larry David), the fundraiser was created in 2000 for the Natural Resources Defense Council and has since raised over $5 million.

With mtvU.com (MTV's 24-hour college network), Laurie is also giving college students a chance to win Larry's Toyota Prius hybrid car in a "Curb Global Warming Sweepstakes." Click here to enter, which also signs you up to the yearlong Stop Global Warming Virtual March on Washington that concludes Earth Day, April 2006.

Of his car being on the block, Larry David says, "This beloved car was taken from me without my consent. Woe to whomever I catch driving it."

For more information on global warming, visit www.stopglobalwarming.org.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You're too late for the groovy salt and pepper shakers, but you can still snatch up the matching creamer, spoon rest, napkin holder, and trivet on Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, and Dec. 18.

These free gifts are given to all bingo players at the following Station Casinos: Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Santa Fe Station, and Fiesta.

And if you're nice to your bingo host, maybe she'll dig up some of the remaining salt and pepper shakers to complete your set.

Bingo updates including progressive jackpot info can be found at www.StationCasinosBingo.com and www.FiestaCasinosBingo.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Veterans Day (Nov. 11-13) gives tribute to Vietnam veterans with a "Here's to the Heroes Tour" at Nellis Air Force Base in North Las Vegas.

Thousands of people (and eight Clydesdales) are expected to show their support and appreciation of our nation's troops.

Visitors can attend the mobile television studio to film personal 10- to 30-second greetings and thanks to the troops, which will be broadcast on the American Forces Radio and Television Service and on the Pentagon Channel. Sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, selected videos will also appear on Budweiser.com.

On Nov. 12-13, one of the largest and most entertaining air shows will include Vietnam-era air and ground displays.

Downtown Las Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience will celebrate Operation Welcome Home from Nov. 10-13, publicly thanking and honoring America's 2.7 million Vietnam vets.

Marking the 30th anniversary of the end of America's involvement in Vietnam, Operation Welcome Home will include the world's largest Welcome Home parade (Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to noon).

Other activities include:

• The Moving Wall (Nov. 10-14, 9 a.m. to midnight), a half-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Positioned in the Main Street Station parking lot, visitors may locate names of loved ones.
  
• Fremont Street Patriot's Party (Nov. 11-13), a special light show honoring veterans on the world's largest screen called "Above and Beyond."
  
• Felix Cavaliere's Rascals performs for free on Nov. 11
  
• Rock band The Guess Who performs for free on Nov. 12
  

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nevada Silverman celebrates Vegas' 100th birthday by bringing their full distance triathlon to the City of Henderson.

On Nov. 13, triathletes from around the world converge in Henderson with a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Mead, a 112 mile bike ride (9,200 feet of elevation gain), and a 26.2 mile run.

Though it's too late to register, you can always attend the Expo (Henderson Multigen Center in Green Valley, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson), root on the players, and get in shape... because the next triathlon will be April 15, 2006 with the Rage in the Sage.

The swim course is an open water swim in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The Desert Princess paddle boat (click here for 10 percent off a ride on the paddle boat) acts as the turning point, and swimmers circle around the boat containing 300 cheering people.

The bike ride loops through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, to Lake Mead Parkway, down to Paradise Hills, and back along I-515 ending at Horizon Ridge.

The run begins at Green Valley and tours through all of the Green Valley Ranch and Horizon Ridge area.

Nevada Silverman Tentative Timeline of Events

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005
Athletes Registration 10am to 5pm
Silver Strip Expo opens 10am to 5pm

Friday, Nov. 11, 2005
Athletes Registration 10am to 5pm
Silver Strip Expo opens 10am to 5pm
Pasta Dinner starts at 5:00pm (Special Guest) Henderson Convention Center

Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005
Silver Strip Expo opens from 8am to 5pm
Bike Check In/Feed Bags/Gear Bags Mandatory 8am to 4pm (Lake Mead)
Pre Race meeting for all athletes 4pm

Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005
Bus Picks Up Athletes at Sunset Station (Host Hotel) at 4:30am
Race Day 7am-12pm
Silver Strip Expo Opens 12pm to 5pm

Monday, Nov. 14, 2005
Expo 10am at 2pm (Last Day) Silverman Store Only
Athlete Awards Banquet
Race celebration continues with a Vegas-style party

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After a year overseeing Aladdin's poker room, Edna Dalton is leaving to manage the Venetian's new poker room, expected to open spring 2006.

Venetian has been slowly sneaking back into the public eye by building a brand new theater for Blue Man Group (formerly of Luxor), opening the latest nightclub du jour (du nuit?) -- Tao -- and landing a new version of Phantom of the Opera tinkered by Andrew Lloyd Webber to open next year.

Venetian's poker room is no less impressive, finally taking shape next to valet with 10,000 square feet and over 40 tables, making it the biggest poker room in Las Vegas. There were rumors they would go the poker ambassador route and hire a big name to bring publicity and attract the big games from Bellagio, but so far no word. I hear Daniel Negreanu's available...

Next month, Caesars Palace readies their own poker room, touting 30 tables and 8,500 square feet. A separate 6,000-square-foot room will hold additional tables for tournament use.

Pictured below are artists' renderings of what Caesars' poker room will look like:

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ground was broken last week on the new Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino which should bring urban living to the Strip. It will be between the Bellagio and the MGM Mirage City Center project. The new Cosmopolitan will open in 2008.

There are rare Reno casino chips currently up on ebay including some from Cal Neva, a casino that Frank Sinatra owned a piece of back in the 1960s.

Sands and Harrahs will build art museums overseas in Singapore. The Sands Las Vegas is teaming up with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation from New York City to help build a contemporary art museum. Harrahs on the other hand is going to build one of their own with the Pompidou Center from Paris.

Miss America beauty pageant may find it's new home in Las Vegas instead of Atlantic City, NJ where it was held the last 84 years. Rumors are pointing to the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood for next year's event.

Wynn pulls strings to keeps puppets is an interesting bit about the struggling play Avenue Q. Steve Wynn hired a top Broadway executive to help him market Avenue Q since he's having ahard time filling all the available seats.

Posted by Haley Slovin at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You now have a chance to double-down your trip on the Strip with new double-decker buses adding a London touch to Vegas. Finally you'll be able to look out the window and see the glorious landscape of the Las Vegas Strip instead of tourists in SUVs.

The Clark County Regional Transportation Commission unleashed their new "The Deuce" buses last week and are already changing the look of Strip traffic.

Similar to the open-topped sight-seeing buses in Manhattan, the Alexander Dennis-designed "Enviro 500" buses are longer than their British counterparts. Each of the fleet's 50 buses is 40 feet long, 102 inches wide, 52,200 pounds, and costs $583,963.50. In other words, like a Bentley but with more people.

The upper deck holds 53 people (5 feet, 7 3/4 inch headroom), the lower deck holds 27 (6 feet, 5 inch headroom), and there's room for 17 people to stand. Two seats are wheelchair accessible.

The Deuce runs 24 hours and makes 73 stops on a 17.25-mile roundtrip beginning south and looping around the Downtown Transportation Center. Click here for complete route information.

Special focus was made to combat the high desert heat (the reason for the closed-top design), enabling the bus to cool down from 112 to 70 degrees within 30 minutes.

Beginning December, tickets can be purchased via cash (up to $20 bills) and credit/debit cards at vending machines positioned at each bus stop. Until then, tickets can be purchased aboard each bus.

A single ride costs $2 (or four tokens). A day pass is $5 (which can also be used for regular Citizen Area Transit buses). A monthly pass is $30 ($40 beginning December).

Visit TheDeuceLasVegas.com for more information.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday at 2 p.m., Palace Station (2411 W. Sahara Ave., 702-367-2453) opened their remodeled poker room after a month of makeover. During the interim, players were scrunched into the employee break room/water heater space which actually wasn't too bad of a makeshift substitution.

Located in the same space by the sportsbook at the north entrance (outdoor parking is closer than the garage; in the above photo, the poker room is to the immediate left of the bottom entrance), the new poker room isn't much different from the old. What's first noticeable is the brightness of the freshly scrubbed walls and the clean new carpet. Also gone is the stale smoke smell, which will inevitably creep slowly back because while the room is nonsmoking during the day, smoking is still allowed from midnight to 9 a.m.

A new ventilation system might have been installed; when the heat was turned on, a blast of nauseous fumes had everyone gasping.

They've expanded space ever so slightly where the coffeemaker used to be and now have 10 plasma TVs placed wall-to-wall. The number of tables has bumped up from nine to 10, though space between tables is more cramped and not as handicapped accessible as before: cocktail waitresses (quick as usual, with a bar right outside) and one gentleman in a walker had more difficulty squeezing between tables.

More space was given to the waiting area, with two leather armchairs and a small table that look like they came from Daddy Warbucks' library. They will be replaced with an 11th table as needed.

Each table has been refurbished with new felt, and though the old chairs are still being used, management has said new adjustable rolling chairs are on their way within a week. Tables contain cupholders and an outer wood rim to stack chips. Each table also contains the Shuffle Master automatic card shuffler, and decks of cards are replaced often enough before wear-and-tear sets in (hint, hint, Excalibur).

Rules and regulations, jackpot terms, and other information previously on printed signs are now displayed electronically on the plasmas. Printed signs clearly advertise their new increased rake: 10 percent (previously 5 percent) up to $3 on all games. Still low for the typical Vegas Strip rake of 10 percent up to $4, but it was an increase that had many of the locals grumbling.

Regular games are 2/4 and 4/8 Hold'Em (with half-kill), and 3/6 Omaha, with waiting lists for the others.

Noticeably absent is their 7-card-stud jackpot, which had been steadily increasing. That's the bad news. The good news is that to celebrate their grand reopening, Palace will distribute funds from that jackpot to players by awarding $500 every hour from noon to 8 p.m. beginning Nov. 7 and running through Nov. 10 (then again on Nov. 13 to Nov. 15). Additional $500 prizes will be awarded three random times on the graveyard shift between midnight and 9 a.m. on Nov. 8-11 and 14-15.

It might be worth taking that week of vacation to play poker.

To qualify, players must be seated at a live table and be dealt in a previous hand when a table and seat are randomly called. Numbers will be called every hour but not necessarily on the hour.

With all tables running, players have a 100:1 shot at winning every hour. And while playing, you'll still be eligible for other Station Casino promotions:

• Monday Night Football square picks for high hands (various cash prizes, must be present to win).
  
• $1/hour comps (up to 7 hours per day), redeemable in $5 increments at any restaurant (there's a Subway steps away from the poker room, and players can eat the subs while playing).
  
• $1000 for any royal flush using both hole cards (doesn't need to be called down).
  
• $20,000 in-house bad beat jackpot (Aces Full of Tens beaten)
  
• $100,000 Station Casino progressive bad beat jackpot (quad 9s beaten, with requirements decreasing every week). When the progressive jackpot hits, $35,000 goes to the bad beat loser, $20,000 goes to the bad beat winner, and every player seated across all the Station Casino poker rooms splits the rest. It last hit Oct. 28 when the player share was $200 and change, but over the summer the player share has gone as high as $2200.
  

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Treasure Island, a.k.a. the casino with the new trendy initials TI, now has a pedestrian bridge connecting directly to the Fashion Show Mall, home of such upscale stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Target. Okay, that last one is made up, but really now, where do you think they bought all the material to build the bridge? Here's a list of the real department stores.

TI celebrates their bridge by offering $79 room rates on selected dates Sunday through Thursday through March 2, 2006.

You'll also get:

• Fashion Show Premier Passport coupon book (up to $2000 value)
  
• 2 for 1 breakfast at The Coffee Shop
  
• 10 percent off TI logo items
  
• 15 percent off spa & salon services
  

Click here to book or call (800) 288-7206 and mention offer CATRCT.

Upgrade to a Petite Suite for an extra $30 per night by clicking here or call (800) 288-7206 and mention offer CATRPT.

Other TI offers (at more than the $79/night) from their website include:

Stirrup Package (Dec. 1-10)

• 1 free entry into the Ford Mustang Giveaway
  
• 2 for 1 cocktails at Mist Lounge
  
• $10 free slotplay
  

• Tower Deluxe Room upgrade
  
• $10 free slotplay
  
• Complimentary welcome cocktail
  
• 2 for 1 breakfast at Dishes Buffet
  

• Invited guest check-in
  
• Complimentary welcome cocktail
  
• $20 free slotplay
  
• 10 percent off spa & salon services
  

• VIP check-in
  
• Complimentary flowers
  
• Complimentary spa admission for 2
  
• $30 free slotplay
  
• 10 percent off spa & salon services
  
• Complimentary bottle of wine in Buccaneer Bay or Francesco's
  

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I posted a recap of the first day at Vegoose over at my Phish blog. Take a peek. I also included mini reviews of the North Mississippi All Stars, Beck, Phil Lesh and Friends, and Dave Matthews & Friends.

Beck during his performance at Vegoose

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 5:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Superficial has a couple of pictures of Christina Aguilera at a Halloween party in Las Vegas as a sexy nurse.

Photo courtesy of www.thesuperficial.com

Posted by Haley Slovin at 7:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Celebrating the launch of their new Discovery Player's Club slot tiered system, Silverton (3333 Blue Diamond Rd., 5 minutes south of Mandalay Bay) offers $1 drinks for the month of November.

This includes all drinks at all bars and lounges: domestic bottled beer, domestic 12 oz. draft, well cocktails, soda, coffee, iced tea, bottled water, and juice.

'Course, you can still get the drinks for "free" while gaming...

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the month of November, the Coast Casinos offers discounts when using your Club Coast player's card points to purchase:

• 50 percent off all showrooms and hotel rooms, 7 days a week
  
• 50 percent off selected restaurants, Monday through Thursday:
  
  • Suncoast: St. Tropez Buffet, Cafe Siena, Oyster Bar, Senor Miguel's, Via Veneto, Primo's, Bagel Cafe Express
    
  • The Orleans: Courtyard Cafe, French Market Buffet, Don Miguel's, Big Al's Oyster Bar, Prime Rib Loft, Canal Street, Brendan's Irish Pub, Sazio, Koji, Subway
    
  • Gold Coast: Ports o' Call Buffet, Cortez Room, Arriva, Monterey Room, Ping Pang Pong
    
  • Barbary Coast: Victorian Room, Michael's
  
  
• 20 percent off Century Movie theater tickets (at Suncoast and The Orleans)
  
• 10 percent off gift shops, liquor stores, bowling pro shops, and prestige travel
  

In addition, Veteran's Day (Nov. 11) and Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24) are double points.

4000 points will get you $12 cash back or $12 in comps.

The Coast Casinos include Barbary Coast, Gold Coast, The Orleans, and Suncoast (and South Coast in 2006).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You have two more weeks to pay your last respects to Westward Ho, which closes Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.

That's just a fortnight to experience a 27-oz. margarita for 99 cents, a 3/4-pound hotdog for $1.49, a Heineken for 99 cents, a big strawberry shortcake for $1.49, and a trip to the restroom for free.

After Nov. 17, Centex Corp. bulldozes their way in to make space for more high-rise condos.

But wait, there's more. Voyager Entertainment International, Inc. will be using part of the site for an observation wheel as part of a master planned resort to be built on the 15.2-acre property. Whoa, back up, what's an observation wheel?

Way back in December 2003, a similar wheel was announced and scrapped with Rio. That wheel, similar to the London Eye Wheel in England, was purported to be a 600-foot, 27-minute ride containing 30 luxury cabins (20 people per cabin), a personal steward, a restroom, and a fully stocked bar.

In other words, a big giantamuntic ferris wheel proclaimed to be the world's largest will soon be coming to the Strip.

The rendering above is what the new 'Ho will become. It looks all Jules Verne-ish and all, but somehow, I doubt they'll have 99-cent margaritas onboard.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Filed under the as-if-you-need-another-reason-to-visit-Las-Vegas category, the New Las Vegas Marathon is Sunday, Dec. 4 at 6 a.m. where weather is expected to be in the 50 degree range.

The first race to incorporate the Las Vegas Strip all the way through Fremont Street, the event will top out at 15,000 runners. KLAS-TV (Channel 8) will be onhand providing live coverage.

The course can be found at this PDF file and this drive-thru, which begins at Mandalay Bay, heads up the Strip, through Fremont Street and beyond to W. Carey Ave., then loops around all the way down Torey Pines and Twain and Frank Sinatra Dr. back to Mandalay. Whew, my legs are tired just typing that paragraph.

Cost is $95 online ($105 in person) and can be purchased here. If you're a member of Active.com, you can save a further $2.

Leading up to the marathon is the Quality of Life Expo at MBay on Dec. 2 and 3, culminating with a pasta party to get those carbs loaded for the race.

To complete the Vegas experience, a team of 26.2 Elvises will be running with you, whether you like it or not.

And if you happen to meet that special someone between miles 1 and 4, why not make an honest person out of yourself and propose? At mile 5 you'll be able to get hitched at the Run Through Chapel by way of a running minister.

How about settling down with a nice running Elvis?

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As a professional lighting designer, I deal with all different aspects of lighting in different spaces around our growing city. I had the opportunity to light a Poker room in one of the new Casinos here in Las Vegas. I first thought, this will be no problem. I will just put lights directly over each table and aim them straight down and put an ever field of light that would achieve my 50 footcandle required for a poker table. (We will go over footcandles readings in a future article.) Well much to my surprise, when I was talking to the poker players, I found that they were not happy with the lighting. I came to find out that poker players like to pinch and squeeze there cards ever so slightly from the table to see what they have. The light coming directly straight down was causing too much shadowing. I quickly was able to re-adjust the lights on angles to cover the tables and all the players were happy. Being able to have adjustable lighting fixtures is a must for lighting and when designing your home or doing a remodel. Be sure to use adjustable lights so you can focus on the things you want lite in the room. They may be a few dollars more, but well worth it. If I did not have adjustable lights when I Lite the Poker room. I would have been in big trouble and there would have been no way I could bluff. If you ever have lighting problem you can located a professional lighting designer in your area to help you.

If your looking for a quality flashlight be sure to stop by my online flashlight store.

Posted by Tom Kowalczuk at 1:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

10.31.98 Widespread Panic at Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV

Set 1: Love Tractor > Imitation Leather Shoes, Born Under A Bad Sign, Time Zone, Papa Johnny Road, Vampire Blues*, Bayou Lena*, Old Neighborhood*, Weight Of The World*

Set 2: Superstition*, Rebirtha > Climb To Safety > Monstrosity > Drums & Schools Bass > Drums > Arleen* > Spirit In The Dark, I Put A Spell On You* > Fishwater*

Encore: ?, Nowhere To Run/Nowhere To Hide, Coconut

Notes: * with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band

What an amazing show and a kick ass way to end the Vegoose run in Las Vegas. DJ Crystal Method opened and played during the setbreak. Stay tuned for a review!

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Paris Las Vegas' wannabe hit musical We Will Rock You (the show with music by Queen) will close Nov. 27 after just over a year in residence, 500-some performances, and poor reviews.

With discounted tickets popping up and the show trimmed down to 90 minutes since the summer, its departure wasn't entirely unexpected.

Still, the PR juggernaut put a positive spin on its early departure by announcing a reopening in 2006 in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, South Africa, as well as Zurich, Switzerland.

Which means it doesn't look as if Broadway wants to touch it.

No word on what will take over the "intimate 1,450-seat venue" at Le Theatre des Arts, but you can bet it won't be another rock musical.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Stratosphere offers a few online coupons from their website. All expire 12/30/05 and are good for up to four guests. If you have more than four people with you, just print them out more than once (the coupons, not the people, silly).

Viva Las Vegas -- free variety show (showgirls, comedy, and magic, oh my) with purchase of one $9.95 drink. In other words, $9.95 for the show and a drink. Runs Monday through Saturday, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Bite -- $10 off vampire show with a kick. And with women. Runs Friday through Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. 18 and over.

All Day Ride Pass -- $5 off the four rides atop the tallest tower in Vegas. You couldn't get me up there if you dangled a $20 bill, a jelly doughnut, and stick of Rolaids. If you're a local, show your Nevada ID and get $10 off.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This could be you.

The upcoming Hooters Casino Hotel (formerly San Remo) is having a Hooters Girl open casting call on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mezzanine Room.

Meet and greet current Hooters girls, and maybe become one yourself! Over 250 positions are available for servers, cocktail servers, bartenders, dealers, and more.

Apply in person at the San Remo, 115 E. Tropicana. You know you want to.

San Remo will remain open for most of its Hooterification and will officially re-open as Hooters in February 2006. Reservations are being taken beginning Feb. 13.

A sneak peek at the Florida beach-themed guest rooms.

Now that you're thinking Hooters, are you craving those wings?

Visit other Hooters restaurants at:

5675 W. Sahara Ave., 702-248-4668
1301 W. Sunset Rd., Henderson (at Sunset Station), 702-458-9944

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

10.30.05 Trey Anastasio Band, Vegoose, NV

Set 1: Spin, Push On Til the Day, Tuesday, Night Speaks To A Woman, Sleep Again, Shine, 46 Days, Waste *, The Inlaw Josie Wales*, Back On The Train*, Flock of Words*, Brian and Robert*, Air Said To Me, Money Love and Change> Low

Encore: Come As Melody

Show Notes: * solo acoustic

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 3:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)