Las Vegas News

Orleans Buffet Special Cont.:

The Orleans French Market $7 Dinner Buffet Special will continue in September every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday.

Free Video Poker Classes:

Bob Dancer will be teaching FREE video poker classes at the Silverton casino every Tuesday morning, beginning September 5. Classes will be held inside Twin Creeks Steakhouse, with the beginner-level class from 10 am– 11:30 am and the intermediate-level class from 12 noon–1 pm. For further information visit LVA partner site www.bobdancer.com. Bob is the author of several best-selling HP products, including video poker strategy cards, Win Poker software, and Million Dollar Video Poker.

New Cable Channel for Vegas:

Create, KLVX's latest special interest channel, debuts tomorrow, Friday, September 1, featuring a fine-living series, "how-to" programs, and a variety of cooking, home remodeling, arts and crafts, and travel shows. The channel will be available 24/7 to Cox Communications subscribers on channel 112 and broadcast on KLVX-DT digital television channel 10.3.

New Luxor Show:

Burn The Floor will debut at Luxor, Thursday, September 14 at 7:00 pm. The high-energy, 70-minute show, seen by more than three million people in 32 countries, features a variety of dance styles, including salsa, samba, cha cha, tango and rumba, all with a sexy, modern edge. Shows are scheduled for Sunday - Thursday at 7 pm with additional shows Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9:30 pm and Sunday at 4 pm. Burn The Floor is dark Friday and Saturday. Tickets are on sale now, are priced at $41 and $29 plus tax and handling fees, and can be purchased at the Luxor Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

McCarran 8th Busiest:

According to Orbitz, McCarran International Airport has slipped 6 places in the rankings for busiest US airport over the Labor Day holiday weekend, falling to 8th position from last year's #2 spot. Chicago is holding on to first place, with LA jumping 7 places to fill this year's #2 spot.

New Show for Aladdin:

The creators of STOMP, the high-energy percussion and dance sensation, will be holding auditions in Las Vegas September 25 through 30 for a new production show to open at the Aladdin (soon to be Planet Hollywood). Preview performances of the show, which will be housed in a new, custom-designed theater, are schduled for spring 2007.

Streisand Scam:

More than 1,000 tickets to Barbra Streisand's upcoming "Il Divo" tour have been invalidated by Ticketmaster, following the recent discovery that they were purchased with stolen credit card information. Fans who have purchased or are considering purchasing tickets to these shows through a source other than Ticketmaster or the venue box office face a risk that their ticket may be invalid. Ticketmaster is urging anyone who's concerned about the validity of their ticket *not* to call the box office -- cancellation notifications have been sent via email to the address associated with affected Ticketmaster transactions. If you purchased tickets from an unauthorized source, and those tickets were cancelled, your recourse is through the unauthorized seller or law enforcement in the appropriate jurisdiction. For further information, visit www.ticketmaster.com/barbrastreisand.

Million Dollar Mic:

LA-based jewelers the Giantto Group have struck a deal with Toni Braxton for the singer to use their one-of-a-kind Million Dollar Microphone, made of white gold and covered in 650 karats of diamonds, in her "Toni Braxton: Revealed" shows at the Flamingo. The performer will also give away a Giantto Watch to an audience member during each of her upcoming shows.

Paris Party:

Tuesday, August 29, a Street Festival will be held in honor of Paris Hilton's CD release. The street festival is located off the Strip, south of the Imperial Palace. The Festival will feature carnival games, food and drink vendors and entertainment. At 9:30 p.m., Paris will receive a proclamation naming Aug. 29 "Paris Hilton Day." At midnight, the Grand Opening of Beacher's Rockhouse Bar takes place at Imperial Palace.

Elvis Signing:

The Las Vegas Hilton and Gotham Books are hosting a book signing this evening for "Me and a Guy Named Elvis," by Jerry Schilling. Schilling was a member of the famed "Memphis Mafia" entourage in Hollywood but actually became acquainted with The King in Memphis when he was just 12 years old and Elvis was 17. The signing will be held in the Hilton's lobby from 6 pm - 7:30 pm.

Free Rides for Cabbies:

New York-New York is celebrating its new, improved, yellow checker cab-style cars on the Roller Coaster formerly known as the Manhatten Express (now just the Roller Coaster at New York-New York, because apparently people didn't realize it was a roller coaster) with a special offer for local cab drivers. Today through Friday, September 1, drivers with a valid TA permit, plus one guest, will receive a complimentary ride (and they're not keeping track of how many times you do it.)

Miss America Will Return:

It's been announced that the Miss America Pageant will return to Las Vegas. The pageant will take place on Jan. 29, again at the Aladdin.

Fearless Drivers Wanted:

There's a casting call today at the Palms for the upcoming Spike TV series "Bullrun." We don't know many details, but if you're a "fearless driver with a badass car," get yourself and your vehicle over to the west parking lot between 10 am and 6 pm to meet the casting directors and find out more.

2-for-1 Brett Butler Tickets:

The Tropicana is offering two tickets for the price of one to tonight's Brett Butler Live comedy show (regular price $49 per person), if you purchase on-line at www.tropicanalv.com/special_events.asp. The show takes place at 7:30 pm tonight in the Tiffany Theatre.

Berlin Tonight:

Berlin plays tonight with the Romantics poolside at South Coast. The concert begins at 8:30 pm and tickets remain for $29.

Killer Opportunity:

Las Vegas homeboys The Killers play the Empire Ballroom tonight, for an exclusive pre-tour warm-up before taking their new album, Sam's Town, on the road. Doors open at 8:30 pm, with the Killers performing around 10:30 pm. This event was sold out, but they've had some last minute cancellations on tables: There's an opening in the upstairs section for a private table, which comfortably seats six, and cabanana ($1,000 for the party, which includes one bottle, plus $25 each for the tickets) or for the stage-side VIP tables ($2,000, which includes two bottles, plus tickets). Call the box office (soon) on 702/883-8847 if you're interested.

Phantom Scales Back:

As reported in today's Las Vegas Sun newspaper, the producers of "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" are scaling back the number of late-night weekday shows from four to two, and starting all weekend gigs one hour earlier (i.e., 6 pm and 9 pm instead of 7 pm and 10 pm), citing low attendance. Apparently, for several weeks in August, the $40 million theater has been over 25% vacant for the 10 pm show. All changes are due to take effect in October.

Las Vegas #14 Drunkest City:

According to a study by Forbes magazine, which ranked America's "drunkest" cities according to state laws, number of drinkers, number of heavy drinkers, number of binge drinkers, and alcoholism, Las Vegas finished surprisingly low down the list, in 14th place. Milwaukee topped the tippler table, followed by Minneapolis-St.Paul, Columbus, Ohio, then Boston, Austin, Texas, and Chicago.

Wanna Be in the Movies?:

Talking of boozing, the makers of Beer The Movie are visiting Vegas tomorrow on a location scout for the country's best bars for the sequel, Beer the Movie 2: Leaving Long Island. Hogs and Heifers in downtown Las Vegas (301 N. Third St.) is the only stop in this city -- if you want to join the party, it begins tonight at 10 pm.

VP Heads-Up:

An e-mail from Arizona Charlie's Decatur says "Hurry for your last chance to win a 200-coin bonus. Swipe at any designated kiosk now thru August 31st, 2006 for your card of the day." It's called the "Card Sharks Four-Of-A-Kind Frenzy!" and that's all the details we have, but a 200-coin bonus is worth checking out.

Nepalese Food Fest:

This evening from 5:30-10 pm, and again tomorrow, Himalayan Cuisine restaurant (730 E. Flamingo) will be hosting Las Vegas' first Nepal Festival, with Nepalese food (think Indian, plus noodles), music, and exotic souvenirs for sale.

Red Letter Day for Rouge:

Rouge, the new cocktail lounge in the space formerly occupied by Teatro Euro, debuts tonight at MGM Grand.

Sands Macau New Biggest?:

It's today been announced that the Sands Macau is now officially the largest casino in the world, with a 229,000-square-foot casino. However, according to our figures, Foxwoods is still bigger, with 340,000 square feet of gaming space. The Sands does win on the number of table games, however, dwarfing Foxwoods' 380 (at our last count) with a mammoth 740 tables. Still, with Foxwoods $70 million expansion still in progress (due for completion in 2008), the race is still on.

Open TV Casting Call:

There's a casting call beginning today at the Monte Carlo for a new game show called "The Rich List," which is scheduled to begin airing on Fox within the next month. It's a trivia quiz show, where two teams are pitted against each other to see who knows more about pop culture. The winners from this open casting call will go on to take part in the actual show, for a chance to win $250,000. It starts today in Ballroom 3 at the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino, with sessions at 3 pm and 6 pm, and continues tomorrow at 10 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm. To get your name on the list, please call 818-655-7256.

Free Autograph Sessions:

The Orleans will present a free autograph session with Cincinnati legends, Pete Rose and Johnny Bench from 6-8 pm on Friday, August 18. From 4-6 pm Pittsburgh Pirates former stars including Bill Madlock, Doc Ellis and others will be available.

Downtown Gets Amplified!:

From today through August 18, the 2006 Amplify!! Music-Comp Fest invades Fremont Street, showcasing up to 100 acts, to be judged by a panel of top industry experts. Four groups will be selected to win a share of $25,000 in cash, gear, and prizes, on the strength of live performances that will take place Wednesday and Thursday at selected downtown venues including Hogs & Heifers, Celebrity Theater, Jillian's, and Beauty Bar. General admission tickets can be purchased at the venue the day of the show; special "gold" and "platinum" passes, which include access to workshops, showcases, and parties, can be purchased for $100 and $150 online at www.amplifymusicfest.com/register.asp. The festivities kick off tonight with the Amped-Up party at the Beauty Bar.

New Oyster Bar:

Captain Charlie's Oyster Bar has opened at the Gold Coast. Hours are 4 pm-1 am daily.