Las Vegas Time and TemperatureClick for Las Vegas, Nevada Forecast
Recent Updates
 
Recent Photos

Search


 

Categories

 


 



Recent Video
 


The Other Blog

 

MORE VEGAS NEWS

 

 

The looked for list:

 


Blog Links:




February 27, 2009

New 2009 AVN AEE Gallery Photos

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Phoenix
Flower Tucci - Click photo for Gallery image


More than two dozen new photos from the 2009 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo have been added to the permanent 2009 AEE Gallery. The new Flipchip hi-rez gallery pics are available in larger sizes up to desktop size and all are available for free download under the terms of our Creative Commons License.

Flipchip will be adding new photos to the 2009 AVN AEE Gallery in the near future, stop by often.

Enter the model search for Miss Playboy Club

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Playboy Club Palms Las Vegas
Playboy Club at the Las Vegas


Pop by the Playboy Club (at The Palms) and you could end up being Miss Playboy Club.

The new monthly model search awards the lucky lady $1000 in cash, a free night's stay at The Palms, dinner for two at NOVE Italiano, a Swedish massage at Drift Spa, free bottle service at The Playboy Club, and a professional photo shoot for your month in the 2010 calendar.

To be considered, drop off your name and a non-nude photo. Talent scouts and Playboy Club managers review all applications and choose a Miss Playboy Club every month to be the face of the Club.

At the very least, you get free admission to the club just for registering in the model search.

Station Casinos offer free merchandise for points

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Sunset Station Casino Las Vegas
Sunset Station Casino Las Vegas


Inspired perhaps by the recent promotion at The Palms, where daily earned points could also earn merchandise (with the player keeping the points), Station Casinos unleashes a similar giveaway today and tomorrow.

At all Station Casinos (including the Fiestas), earn points by playing slots, video poker, and table games. Points earned within 24 hours can be used to pick up to three items per day, and you keep the points.

Items include:

t-shirt: 200 points (slots), 400 points (video poker), 200 points (table games)
duffle bag: 500/1000/500
golf shirt: 1000/2000/1000
jacket: 2000/4000/2000
tote bag: 4000/8000/4000
rolling luggage: 7500/15,000/8000
Red Rock/Green Valley Ranch vacation package: 100,000/150,000/100,000

The vacation package includes a two-night stay in a suite at your choice of casino, a $600 spa credit, $400 food credit, and transportation to and from the hotel (assuming you're a local).

Each point earned in slots is the equivalent of $1 playthrough, or $2 playthrough for video poker. Points earned at the tables are roughly 100 points per $10 average bet per hour.

If you plan to play anyway, we gravitate toward promotions such as this one, particularly since we get to keep the points. While the merchandise isn't as diverse as what was offered at The Palms, a free t-shirt is a free t-shirt.

February 25, 2009

New AVN Adult Entertainment Expo Gallery Photos Coming

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Phoenix
Phoenix at the 2009 AVN AEE - Click photo for Gallery image


Flipchip has finally completed another group of gallery pics from the many images taken during the recently completed AVN porno expo at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. These photos are offered for the masses stuck in the deep freeze of winter with no opportunity to have been there live.

The two dozen are so photos will be available on Thursday. As usual, the new images are hi-rez in sizes up to 1920x2868 (desktop background size). Click on the above image of Phoenix to jump to the same gallery image and check out the different sizes. Stop by tomorrow for the latest 2009 AVN photo gallery additions offered for free download per our Creative Commons License.

Kenetic Origins of Rhythm at Beauty Bar Friday Night

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Beauty Bar
Beauty Bar Downtown Las Vegas


Want an alternative to the high dollar entertainment scene of the Las Vegas strip? The Beauty Bar in the new East Fremont project is offering $10 tickets ($5.99 if pre-purchased at the website) for the Kenetic Origins of Rhythm (KOR) show. Doors open this Friday, February 27, at 9 PM for the 10 PM KOR show. Sorry kids, this one is limited to the twenty-one and up crowd.

Want to know more about Kenetic Origins of Rhythm? From the KOR press release:

KOR live shows are a perfect marriage of spontaneity and control. KOR has been described as "Euphoric, Beautiful and Original" and KOR's personal favorite comment... "It's as if Cirque du Soleil formed a band!" Mixing tribal beats, electronic sounds, mystic performers and a passion to make people BELIEVE in the power of manifestation,
KOR has sealed it's fate as one of the concrete musical movements in the shift towards a global
Oneness Consciousness!

Does sound intriging and could be the best entertainment bargain in town this weekend. Head downtown Friday night for an evening of live entertainment in Las Vegas. Of course, you could always take the money for the ticket to the car races and buy ...a hotdog (not a whole hotdog, closer to three quarters).


photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Beauty Bar
Colorful Fremont East downtown Las Vegas

February 24, 2009

Luxor corrects promotion, allows 3-5 guests at no charge

luxorad2.jpg


Luxor has moved swiftly to correct a discrepancy in a previous ad of theirs that we'd posted about.

In the new updated promotion, you can still "save up to 80% when you bring a friend" (which would be you and 4 other friends in the same room). But now, they've eliminated the $30 additional charge per person.

The ad print has been updated to "No additional room occupant charges for 3-5 guests," and the fine print had this line added: "The additional $30 charge per person for 3 or more people in a room is WAIVED for this promotion ONLY."

Except for the $42 rate, we still believe this is a non-promotion, as up to 5 people sharing a room would generally not tell the front desk and not be charged anyway.

February 23, 2009

Las Vegas Art Museum to close

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
lErOY nEIMAN
LeRoy Neiman original art hanging in Caesars Palace poker room


The Las Vegas Art Museum, in operation for 59 years, plans to close Feb. 28.

Since 1997, the modern art museum has been situated inside of the Sahara West Library, featuring exhibits from Frank Gehry to modern art with sculptures and paintings.

Over 100 volunteers, 14 staff members, and over 1,000 members kept the museum running, but the economy wasn't able to keep it viable as donations began to decrease.

Executive director Libby Lumpkin resigned in December amidst looming budget cuts.

There's hope that the museum will re-emerge, perhaps in a different location.

Boyd makes bid for Station Casinos

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
California Club
Boyd Gaming's California Club in downtown Las Vegas


Cash-strapped Station Casinos has a new suitor, Boyd Gaming.

According to a filing by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Boyd is the first publicly announced company that has indicated an interest in the bankruptcy-bound Station (March 3), to the tune of $950 million in cash.

Boyd would also substantially increase its offer depending on what else is on the table.

Some publications are reporting that the deal includes Texas Station, Wild Wild West (which has been rumored to close), Fiesta Henderson, and Fiesta Rancho. Others indicate Green Valley Ranch and Aliante are offered, though both of those are co-owned by Greenspun Media.


NASCAR Rolls Into Las Vegas This Week

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon during 2006 speed week in Las Vegas finished second at Fontana Sunday


While watching the NASCAR Nationwide Stater Bros 300 from the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California on Saturday it was obvious that thousands of the seats were empty. While the stars of NASCAR raced around the track the cash strapped fans were home watching the event on TV. Will there be a repeat of empty seats at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for this weekend's NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup series races? Not likely.

Las Vegas will be welcoming thousands of race fans from around the world for the events. Even with the strangled economy the town is forecast to fill up with cash toting, gambling loving NASCAR fans. A plethora of award winning restaurants, hot casino action 24/7, world class entertainment, and special events around town for race fans to meet some of their NASCAR favorites Las Vegas assures visitors they will be well-fed, luxuriously accommodated, constantly entertained and enjoy peace-of-mind from outstanding security. That's why there will be few if any empty seats at the races this week.

If you only attend one NASCAR race and want to get the biggest bang for your leisure time buck; there's no choice beyond Las Vegas.


photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart will hold a meet-&-greet at the Palazzo Sports Bar
Saturday 5-6 PM

February 21, 2009

Brad Pitt makes a pit-stop at Hard Rock Las Vegas before Oscars

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Hard Rock Las Vegas
Hard Rock Las vegas


Brad Pitt and half his family (meaning the kids -- no Angelina Jolie) stopped by the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and we wonder if they passed Chris Brown on the way out.

Brown checked out of Hard Rock as well as Las Vegas almost as fast as he checked in.

Pitt was in town to wind down with a few of his kids before Sunday's Academy Awards, where both he and Jolie are nominated in top categories (Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Jolie for Changeling).

No kanoodling caught or anything out of the ordinary of family affairs. Alas.

Pitt simply relaxed at Hard Rock and took his sons to see the Cirque du Soleil show KA.

February 20, 2009

Resort fees explained at Excalibur

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Excalibur Las Vegas
Excalibur Las Vegas


Excalibur is flooding our email boxes again with an offer too good to refuse (as in deny), so we made it refuse (as in trash).

The offer on the table was freeplay and free nights in a "widescreen room" (which basically means a room with a widescreen TV).

And since we're fond of reviewing fine print (which it seems MGM Mirage, owners of Excalibur, is fond of piling on, much like Facebook's terms of service), if we accept the offer, we're still liable for $5 per day as a resort fee.

This, by the way, is the same $5 fee added to the bill of any paying hotel guest. Hey, times are tough, why not gouge the remaining tourists before they leave too?

Granted, resort fees are relatively recent in the casino comp world, but they're not anything to be truly perturbed about. If you have a comped room, your room is generally just that. It's mostly to scare away those who were thinking of taking the room without gambling at all. Then Excal (and any of the Station Casinos, which also have a resort fee attached) can at least get something back. But to get the room means you gamble in the first place, and if you gamble while taking the room and somehow that resort fee gets posted to your credit card, just call the front desk to have it reversed.

But anyway, we were quoting Excalibur's fine print before we became distracted.

Here is what your $5/day resort fee will get you:

  • Unlimited Local and 800 Calls: we can't wait to leave our cell phone at home and make some crank calls from the hotel room
  • 10 cents per minute domestic long distance
  • Fitness Center Admission (excluding use of spa, locker room, and shower facilities): this was always included with any room before the resort fee
  • 2 Free Drinks at Casino Bars (well, wine, draft), or a $5.00 beverage credit: if you're just staying 1 night, this actually isn't too bad, just charge $5 worth of drinks to your room and it'll automatically be taken off your folio
  • 2 Free Midway Games at Fantasy Faire

We do give Excalibur credit for spelling out exactly what the resort fee covers. Some casino-hotels (ahem, Station) just mention the fee and that's it.

So hey Excalibur, brownie points to you.

Country Music stars to perform free concerts in downtown Las Vegas

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Country Music Awards
MGM Grand Las Vegas


The weekend of April 3 is looking to be country music central in Las Vegas.

The 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards takes place live on April 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

But before then, performers will flood Fremont Street with free concerts (you give permission that your image may be taped for possible material in the ACMA broadcast).

A partial list of goings-on at Fremont and elsewhere:

April 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Fremont: up-and-coming country stars sing on two stages as part of the free New Artists Show
April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Fremont: Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, and LeAnn Rimes sing for free as Divas Downtown
April 4: though not scheduled to sing, Toby Keith and Montgomery Gentry will take part in a motorcycle ride for charity
April 4 at 11 a.m.: Rascal Flatts hosts the Academy of Country Music Celebrity Golf Classic (cost is unknown; if interested, email Erin Spahn)
April 5: for the 11th time, Reba McEntire hosts the Academy of Country Music Awards (sold out)

February 18, 2009

Nine2Eleven at Playboy Club this Friday

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Palms Las Vegas
Palms Las Vegas


Every Friday night, meet up with NINE2ELEVEN to mix, mingle, and network. And check out some of Las Vegas's hippest clubs while you're at it -- all for free.

This Friday, Feb. 20, NINE2ELEVEN can be found at the Playboy Club (at The Palms).

You'll get free entry along with open bar between 9 and 11. After that, the open bar will be closed, but you'll still be able to kick it with the best of the Playboy Bunnies (in other words, dress well).

You do need to RSVP to info@cheyennemarketing.com in order to get on the VIP guest list.

Palazzo Plans Tony Stewart
Meet-and-Greet Feb. 28

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Palazzo Las Vegas
Palazzo Las Vegas


Saturday, February 28, the day before the Shelby 427 Sprint Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart will host a public meet-and-greet at the Sportsbook Bar & Grill at the Palazzo. Stewart is the well known two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion driving Stewart-Haas Racing's #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet.

If you're one of the 100,000 or more NASCAR fans expected to be in Las Vegas on this date what could be better than an opportunity to see one of the top drivers in NASCAR racing. He will be signing a limited number of autographs between 5 - 6 PM Saturday, February 28. Stop by the Sportsbook Bar & Grill at the Palazzo and meet the newest NASCAR team owner.


photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart playing in the 2006 Jeff Gorden Foundation charity poker tournament

February 15, 2009

Harmon Hotel & Spa at CityCenter Photos - Before & After

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
CityCenter Harmon Hotel & Spa
Harmon Hotel and Casino shown at design height of 49 floors


Prominently displayed on the corner of Harmon and the Las Vegas Strip is the Harmon Hotel & Spa, the 'first impression' gateway to CityCenter from the Las Legas Strip. Can the newly clipped Harmon Hotel, Spa, & Residences have an impact on CityCenter's curb appeal? Will the missing 22 upper floors of private residences be that noticeable? Can the engineers work some tech magic like they did for the crooked leg of the Stratosphere Tower and keep going up? Will the genius of Sir Norman Foster, architect to the world, save the day? Me? I'm betting on Sir Norm.

Norman Robert Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank, architect for the Harmon Hotel, Spa, & Residences is the founder of Foster Partners. Based in the UK, Foster Partners is an award winning, world class architectural firm specializing in the design of major airports. Norman Foster designed the landmark 30_St_Mary_Axe (Gherkin) building in the City of London.

Examples of the famed architect's work are rare in the US and the Harmon would have given CityCenter the distinction of including one of his works. Will Foster+Partners want to remain the architect for the new squat version? I would think probably not. Their website touts the Harmon as one of the tallest buildings on the Las Vegas strip in original form.

Check out the two photos, add some imagination (we did), and decide if the shortened Harmon project can upset the greater balance of the strip's first mega-project.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
CityCenter Harmon Hotel & Spa
Harmon Hotel & Casino shown re-designed to top out at 28 floors
February 12, 2009

Chris Brown allegedly hiding out in Las Vegas

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Chris Brown
Chris Brown, Step away from the guitar, we have you surrounded


You're Chris Brown, you had a squeaky clean image until a public argument with girlfriend and fellow pop star Rihanna last weekend led to alleged punches to her head that sent her to the hospital, you spent time in a Los Angeles jail before being released on $50,000 bail, your big Doublemint gum and "Got Milk?" sponsors dropped you, and now the D.A. is considering prosecuting.

Where you gonna go now?

Why, Las Vegas of course.

E! Online is reporting that the R&B singer hopped a private jet to Las Vegas and is staying at a suite at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Because he's under 21, he would've had to check in via a friend.

But wouldn't that be a violation of not leaving Los Angeles?

Hard Rock is neither confirming nor denying Brown's surprise appearance.

February 11, 2009

Luxor Promo Demands Second Look

luxorad.jpg


In a desperate move to fill rooms, some resorts are, uh, resorting to promotions that aren't really that great a deal after all.

Luxor is running a "Bring a friend and save" promotion, stating "the more friends you bring, the less you pay!"

To members of Luxor's player's club (as well as MGM Mirage, which owns Luxor), players are often offered cheap rooms for themselves and a cheap room for their friend.

This sounds like something similar -- get a discount on your room when a friend visits with you (in their own room).

Nope.

The ad is just a math lesson in how much each of you will pay for the room, because you're all staying in it together.

Starting at a $42 rate, the ad explains that if you bring 4 friends to cram inside your room, each of you will pay $9. They rounded up from the actual $8.40 each would be paying.

But wait. In the fine print below the ad, it says, "There is an additional $30 charge per person for 3 or more people in a room."

$42 for 2 people + $90 for 3 extra people = $132, or an actual cost of $26.40 per person.

Pretty sneaky, Luxor.

Way back when we were young and still visiting Las Vegas instead of living here, we'd stock up on 5 to a room to save money. Casinos won't charge if they don't know, so when asked, we'd say 2 people were staying in the room. We'd ask for 2 queen beds and 2 room keys at check-in. We'd then call down to get a rollaway bed, which was free (we usually waited for it and tipped, but you can bypass tipping by leaving the room, and the rollaway will be there when you return). Then later in the day, we'd stop by check-in again to request 2 more room keys.

Sneak Preview of Annie Duke on Celebrity Apprentice

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Annie Duke
Annie Duke seen at her annual Ante Up for Africa Poker Charity Tournament at the 2008 WSOP


Prepare for the March 1 premier of Celebrity Apprentice on NBC television. Will the often outspoken professional poker player use her quick wit and natural aggressiveness to wow the Donald? Can a person accustom to competiting in a game that rewards individual performance survive in an atmosphere where team work reigns supreme?

Check out the sneak preview of poker phenom Annie Duke as she exerts her strong will to be in control of her fate.

Heidi Fleiss out of stud business


That collective feminine sighing you heard was Heidi Fleiss definitively deciding not to pursue her plans to run a bordello with male prostitutes.

In 2005, we posted that the "Hollywood Madam" moved to Pahrump to open "Heidi's Stud Farm," what was to be Nevada's first brothel catering to women.

But we've been skeptical because Fleiss still had not applied for a brothel license; if she had, the state would most likely have refused her because she's a convicted felon (from her days of running a prostitution ring in Los Angeles).

According to the Review-Journal, Fleiss expects to sell the land and use the money to invest in an "alternative energy project," which could entail adding to the commercial windmills she already has.

Fleiss still owns and runs the Dirty Laundry coin-operated laundromat in Crystal, Nev.

Paul McCartney to open the new Joint at Hard Rock

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Hard Rock Las Vegas
Hard Rock Las Vegas


Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's new concert venue will open on April 19 at 8 p.m. with Paul McCartney.

Last Friday, Motley Crue played the last show at the Joint as we know it, before it turns into casino space.

The new venue, also called The Joint, will seat over 4,000, twice as many as the old Joint. It will also include 400 stadium seats.

Tickets go on sale at noon on Feb. 14 in person at the box office (no phone sales) and ticketmaster.com. Prices are not yet announced.

Buy 1, get 1 entree at T.G.I. Friday's

tgifridays.jpg


T.G.I. Friday's has a coupon for a free entree with the purchase of one.

The coupon can be viewed and printed from this link.

It's good now through March 1, with the only exception being Feb. 14. And really, do you want to take your date to Friday's for Valentine's Day anyway?

Sign up for their Give Me More Stripes rewards program (it's free), and with every purchase you can earn points toward future meals. You can also get a free appetizer or dessert as well as a front-of-line pass for joining.

T.G.I. Friday's around the Las Vegas area:

1800 E FLAMINGO RD
(702) 732-9905

4570 W SAHARA AVE
(702) 889-1866

4330 E SUNSET RD
HENDERSON
(702) 990-8443


T.G.I. Friday's at casinos:

SAM'S TOWN
5111 BOULDER HIGHWAY
(702) 454-8104

THE ORLEANS
4500 W TROPICANA AVE
(702) 873-1801

GOLD COAST
4000 W. FLAMINGO RD.
(702) 880-5920

SUN COAST
9090 ALTA DR.
(702) 636-7171

ALIANTE
7300 ALIANTE PARKWAY
(712) 399-0332

February 10, 2009

Goldman Sachs shifts conference from Las Vegas to San Francisco

It seems Las Vegas is still too synonymous with a party town.

Last week, Wells Fargo cancelled an employee recognition event scheduled in Las Vegas. Wells Fargo was criticized for wasting the government's $25 billion in federal bailout money.

Now Goldman Sachs, which received $10 billion in bailout funds, has abruptly moved its 3-day Technology and Internet Conference from Las Vegas to San Francisco.

The conference was scheduled to take place later this month at Mandalay Bay, and to cancel the show, they paid a $600,000 cancellation fee, according to The Associated Press.

Rerouting flights and booking last-minute hotels and convention space will surely cost more than if Goldman Sachs kept the conference in Las Vegas, but the cost may override the perception of misused funds in what's seen as more a vacation than a business destination.

Dead Rising 2 returns in a zombiefied Las Vegas

deadrising.jpg


Is this Las Vegas uprising the result of the economic downturn?

Nah, it's just a scene from the new Capcom game "Dead Rising 2."

The setting is our fine neon city (or rather Fortune City, a likeness thereof), with the dead walking the Earth. And as you know with the dead, they're never happy as well as always hungry for human flesh.

The game is the sequel to the best-selling "Dead Rising," which had the player battling zombies in a shopping mall.

Now the zombie virus has spread, and you'll battle through a Las Vegas ridden with the living dead (dressed as showgirls, casino workers, and the unfortunate slot player), and fun ways to kill them (such as with a roulette wheel).

Long rumored and kept under wraps, "Dead Rising 2" was announced yesterday that it will be available on the Xbox, PlayStation 3, and PC, but as of yet, no set release date.

February 9, 2009

MGM Mirage CityCenter Must Re-Inspect Says County

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
2009 MGM Mirage CityCenter
Clouds of structural doubt hang over MGM Mirage CityCenter - Click photo for hi-rez


A pile of 62 incorrect QA reports along with the discovery of structural deviations from the approved engineering designs for the Harmon Hotel & Spa have resulted in Clark County Development Services requiring additional inspections of the massive CityCenter project on the Las Vegas strip.

A January inspection of the Harmon Hotel & Spa found 15 of the first 22 stories of the tower did not meet the structural engineering specifications even though a third-party inspection firm of Converse Consultants was contracted to provide project quality assurance including on-site inspections and certifications of compliance. Apparently the rebar in horizontal concrete beams was not fabricated and installed correctly resulting in a diaviations that could allow excessive lateral movement of the structure in high winds or during a seismic event.

After the building flaws were discovered CityCenter Holdings LLC, a partnership between MGM Mirage and Dubai World announced they would lop off the top 22 floors of the planned 47 story tower and eliminate the planned200 plus residential condominiums. General Contractor for the CityCenter project is Perini Building Company. The 'all-new' compact Harmon Hotel & Spa tower occupies the corner of Harmon and the Las Vegas strip at the entrance to the $8.6 billion CityCenter project.

A re-inspection of structural work on the other high rise towers at CityCenter must be performed by an outside inspection firm, other than Converse Consultants, to ensure structural integrity and public safety. Should the inspections reveal additional quality problems and buildings have to be downsized they could always rename it CityCenter, Light.


photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
2009 MGM Mirage CityCenter
Harmon Hotel & Casino at CityCenter (center) - Click photo for hi-rez

Sarah Shahi elopes in Las Vegas

"Life" star Sarah Shahi got married in Las Vegas over the weekend, presided by an Elvis impersonator.

Shahi, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, plays detective Dani Reese in the quirky NBC series every Wednesday at 9 p.m. In its second season, she's been showing more skin, even sucking a lollipop while hooking up with her boss, played by Donal Logue.

Shahi married actor Steve Howey in a quickie chapel ceremony, after a pre-wedding engagement party at nightclub Prive (at Planet Hollywood). Monsters & Critics caught photos here.

Shahi and Howey recently announced she is 4 months pregnant.

Danny Gans premieres at Encore tomorrow

dannygansencore.jpg


The new Danny Gans show (pictured above as Michael Jackson) at Encore premieres tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. (continuing every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday).

Last Friday, Gans performed a special sneak preview at a benefit show, assisting The Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars and Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada. Both charities support local youth programs and services.

Moving from his residence theater at The Mirage back in November, Gans is taking his 200-impression repertoire to Encore, where every performance will showcase between 60 to 100 impressions. The flexibility ensures audience members see a different show every time.

Gans will be at Encore for at least 3 years in the 1,500-seat theater that previously housed Spamalot at Wynn Las Vegas (the theater is now officially attached to Encore).

Tickets are $95-$120. Call (702) 770-9966 to reserve.

February 5, 2009

All day buffet access at Excalibur for $25

excalbuffet.jpg


How's this for a novel concept?

For $25, eat at the Excalibur buffet for the entire day (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and get line passes to the front of the line!

We're no stranger to the Las Vegas food offer, but this is the first time we've heard of grazing all day long for one price. And from the casino point of view, you're kept in the casino between meals.

One tweak we would recommend for future offers: maybe one low price for unlimited buffet eating at all MGM Mirage properties. That way you're still gambling in the company's casinos, you get to sample other buffets, and you're given some time to walk off all that extra steak and butter.

Oscar Night America at Rain

oscarnight.jpg
Judd Apatow has announced he'll be writing a short film to introduce a comedy tribute for the Feb. 22 telecast of The Oscars.

Baz Luhrmann will create a lavish production number with Oscar host Hugh Jackman.

Instead of watching it on the small screen, how about seeing a Las Vegas-style Academy Awards?

The Rain nightclub (at The Palms) is hosting charity event Oscar Night America, benefiting the Arthritis Foundation. With millions of dollars of audio-visual equipment and decor throughout the club, it will be the closest you'll come to the Oscars without being there.

Cocktails and a silent auction begin at 4 p.m., followed by dinner and the live telecast of The Oscars at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $300 each, or a table of 10 for $3,000.

For more information and to register for an invitation, visit this link.

February 4, 2009

New AVN Adult Entertainment Expo Gallery Photos

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Shyla Stylez
Shyla Stylez at the 2009 AVN AEE - Click photo for 2009 AVN Gallery


Another batch of new photos has been added to the Flipchip 2009 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo Photo Gallery. As always, the images are available in larger size hi-rez versions suitable for download and download you may, absolutely free of charge, per the provisions of our Creative Commons License.

Additional photos will be added to the 2009 AVN Gallery in the near future.

Elton John to perform final Las Vegas show

eltonjohn_redpiano.jpg


It was just a matter of time, but as all good things must come to an end, Elton John's last date as residence performer in Las Vegas is April 22.

John began February 2004, playing in his The Red Piano show (directed by photographer David LaChappelle) on Celine Dion's dark nights at the Caesars Palace Coliseum, then swapping nights with Bette Midler and Cher.

The past few months (including this February), Harrah's has been sending players free tickets to fill seats, which was the first sign of waning interest, but we always loved the show (pictured above is a snapshot when we sneaked in our camera) and felt it was one of the few shows on the Strip that was worth the price.

It wasn't clear whether it was a decision by John or by Harrah's, but no replacement has yet been set.

With the April 22 date, the Rocket Man will have performed 241 shows. Tickets for that show go on sale Thursday.

February 3, 2009

Denny's offers free Grand Slam breakfast today

Today only, from now until 2 p.m., all Denny's restaurants offer a free Grand Slam breakfast, with no additional purchase required.

The Grand Slam comprises two pancakes, two eggs, two bacon strips, and two sausage links.

Denny's normally sells over 12.5 million of these breakfasts per year, and they expect to give away up to 2 million with this promotion.

Customers will also receive coupon booklets for additional free offers with menu purchases.

Multiple locations for Denny's abound in the Las Vegas area. Visit this link for a listing.

Free limo ride for locals

Locals can get a free limo ride to and from MGM Grand, as long as they're dining at one of MGM's signature restaurants.

Make a reservation at Joel Robuchon (any size party) and request a free limo. Dining at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Fiamma, Craftsteak, Seablue, and Nobhill also apply but require parties of 6 or more.

To reserve, call (702) 891-3110 or (702) 891-6238.