Canadian native Marc Savard, who performs his Comedy Hypnosis act at the V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops, is celebrating Canada Day by offering those with a Canadian ID a special $5 ticket to the show July 1 only. The offer's good for general admission seating and is subject to availability. (LVA members, remember you can get a FREE ticket to see this show in the 2012 MRB -- you just have to pick up the tab for the $5 box office fee.)
Home Plate at 4785 Blue Diamond has introduced a Bloody Mary bar starting at 9 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Marys with all the fixin's are $6 each. This is also a good video poker bar with lots of promotions, so we're guessing they comp the Marys for players.
The long-awaited Sigma Derby game is up and operating at the D downtown. The 25-cent game is located on the second floor to left as you come up the escalator. It was busy when we checked it out.
Today is a Station bonus-point day. One dollar coin-in equals 6 points on video poker and 10 points on slots at all Station, Fiesta, and Wildfire casinos.
Lake Las Vegas kicks off the July 4 celebrations early this weekend, with a fireworks display today at 9 p.m. and live music and BBQ stations set up throughout the Village from 6-10 p.m.
Rich Little, who's currently performing Jimmy Stewart & Friends* for a limited run at LVH, is extending his one-man show through August 22, 2012. The show performs Sat.–Weds. at the Shimmer Cabaret and tickets start at $53.90. (In addition to Jimmy Stewart, Little's repertoire also includes impressions of Isaac Newton, Abraham Lincoln, and Noah. We jest! But he does do a mean Cary Grant, George Burns, Ronald Reagan, and John Wayne, so we've been told.)
Tonight Green Valley Ranch's Ovation Lounge presents "Wired" with Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees. The free show starts at 11 p.m. and features a live band, performing a blend of dance, hip-hop, and Top 40 music.
The state Senate on Wednesday approved a bill authorizing online betting in Delaware, and additional venues for sports wagering and other gambling, but the 14-6 vote was controversial, as one Democratic lawmaker who opposed the bill accidentally voted for it, after down his hearing aid. Sen. Robert Venables, indicated he might move to have the roll call rescinded.
Following last weekend's beating of a prominent Macau casino investor by a group of six assailants, while he dined with a female companion at a restaurant in his own casino, comes news that a former top China executive at Las Vegas Sands Corp. has made allegations in a court filing that a "prostitution strategy" at the operator's Macau properties was endorsed at the highest level. Steve Jacobs was fired two years ago from his position overseeing Sands operations in the Chinese gambling enclave.
Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi collected his third WSOP bracelet and became the first two-time winner of the $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship Thursday night for a $1.45-million payday. Mizrachi previously won the event in 2010.
There's a new deal for LVAGold members for 40% off tix to see "America's Got Talent" winner Terry Fator at the Mirage. The offer's good for select dates through the end of August.
We just posted the July issue of the LVA newsletter online, and it's another fact-packed issue. Highlights include our annual July room-rate survey (don't believe it when they tell you rates are on the up), dining deals, gambling news, entertainment reviews, and more, so check it out!
Fireworks stands are set to open around the valley today, once the facilities and their products have been passed by fire inspectors, and Fire and Rescue crews are urging people to take care and not try to return to relight a dud firework, which every year results in some serious burn victims.
Here's a reminder that Friday, June 29, the D downtown will hold public auditions for 100 dancing dealers on the Third Street Stage on Fremont Street, from 3 to 4 p.m. Applicants should report to the D’s ballroom at 2 p.m. for registration and a brief choreography session before auditions commence. The D plans to make immediate hires, contingent on a later HR screening, and dealer training will be provided to successful applicants.
On the back of a recent QoD (5/18/2012) bemoaning the apparent lack of new Vegas reality TV shows, comes word that a pilot is already in the can (or, rather, the digital tape box) for a new series about a group of real Las Vegas housewives and friends. It's from the same production team behind "Pawn Stars" and "American Restoration" and is apparently not intended to mirror Bravo's "Real Housewives of..." franchise, but is about six real moms. The actual series has apparently now been greenlit, and shooting will recommence soon, with a fall air date scheduled.
We just added a new open-to-all dining deal at couponsinvegas.com, where you'll also find a discount on the new Da Vinci -- The Genius exhibit at Venetian (which we checked out last night -- it's fascinating), free show tix, free hookah, free beer, and more, with extra savings exclusively for LVA members, too, so log in and get down(loading)!
Osmond duo Donny & Marie will be taking a break from their show at the Flamingo for the entire month of August. There's no word yet as to whether another performer will occupy the showroom during their absence.
Starting July 1, Crazy Horse III topless club will offer locals a half-off drink special, including premium liquor and beer, 24 hours a day, all summer long. Nice.
Our "Rat Pack of Food Critics" not only dominate the print edition of today's New York Times food section, but San Francisco's Grub Street also profiles the feisty trio who bring us Eating Las Vegas: The 50 Essential Restaurants, and you can pose your questions to Al Mancini, the mohawked one, is answering your questions all week in NYT's Diner's Journal column, so hit him with your best shots.
According to the new 2012 edition of Casino City's North American Gaming Almanac, released today, gaming revenue in the U.S. was up by .03 percent in 2010, at $88.14 billion. The miniscule rise follows two consecutive years of decline, but is tempered by a report by Moody's Investors Service today that says growth in the U.S. gaming market has stalled and that companies with large debt, including Caesars Ent., CityCenter Holdings, and Revel Atlantic City are "at great risk" because of "significant near-term maturities or highly leveraged capital structures." While gaming revenues demonstrated an upward trend in 2011, weakening consumer confidence and other factors have seen a slowdown in momentum, with gambling jurisdictions reporting outright declines in revenue last month.
The ramp from US 95 northbound to I-15 northbound over Washington Boulevard is currently closed as crews work to clear an earlier trash truck fire (that must've smelled good). The fire's now out, but the ramp remains closed and traffic's backed up in the vicinity, so avoid for the time being, if you can.
Thanks for all the feedback on the current Reader Poll, which is getting lots of voting action. To clarify, however, this poll is about hotel amenities and what's important to you when you read about a hotel's rooms and facilities; we're NOT referring to comping policies, gambling odds, how much the room costs, etc.
The much-awaited new $2.4 billion international terminal at McCarran airport officially opened for business today. In case you missed Monday's QoD, here's the lowdown:
International carriers serviced by the new terminal will include: AeroMexico, Air Berlin, Air Canada, ArkeFly, British Airways, Condor, Copa, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines, Sunwing, Thomas Cook, Virgin Atlantic Airways, VivaAerobus, Volaris, WestJet, and XL Airways France. In addition, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country, Virgin America, Hawaiian Airlines, and United will also relocate to T3. The first five of these will move on July 31; Hawaiian and United don't move until August 22 and will only use the ticketing and baggage-claim services at the new terminal -- they will still fly in and out of the D Gates at T1.
Don't forget, you only have until June 30 to take advantage of our pre-publication offer on The Blackjack Life, the first blackjack title Anthony Curtis felt inspired to publish in a half decade! Pre-purchase before the end of the month and receive 50% off the cover price, plus reduced shipping -- that's just $10.98, all in. What?!
This July 4-9, Red Rock Resort will host the 15th Annual Amoretti World Pastry Forum and Championship, featuring pastry chefs, culinary professionals, and students from around the world competing for the most coveted championship in the pastry industry. From July 4 through 8, industry pros will lead forums and teach classes on making gelato, cake decorating, chocolate making, how to start your own bakery, and more. Beginning July 8, the championship will commence, with teams representing China, Japan, Netherlands, Mexico, Morocco, South Korea, and the U.S. each having 13 hours to complete sugar and chocolate sculptures that fall under this year’s theme of astrology/horoscopes. For a full schedule of events, or to purchase tickets, visit worldpastryforum.com (anyone who arrives to the team championship in a chef’s jacket will receive complimentary admission).
With the NY Times all over it this week, TV shows in the works, and more, it seems that the whole world's obsessed with Las Vegas dining right now -- and who can blame it, when we have so many great restaurants to choose from! Now, Zagat is inviting you to vote for and comment on the Las Vegas restaurants you've sampled in the past year, for the chance to win dinner for two and an overnight hotel stay. Click the link to register and start rating! (And don't forget to add your ratings and comments to all your favorite -- and least favorite! -- Las Vegas eateries in our own Restaurant section.
No, it's not a soccer match, but the competition between two of Spain's major cities to be chosen for the site of the proposed Las Vegas Sands "EuroVegas" project, a 12-hotel, six-casino complex that could create a quarter of a million jobs in the European country where unemployment currently tops 24 percent. The decision had been expected imminently, but has now been deferred to September, as both cities have proposed new possible sites for the venture.
Monte Carlo has changed the name of its buffet to Big Belly Buffet (really?) and has upped the prices of all meals by $1-$2, while the Gourmet Brunch on the weekend is now $26 with unlimited mimosas, as opposed to $21.99 previously.
Popular stage show The Price is Right Live at Bally's welcomes back celebrity host Joey Fatone for his fourth guest appearance July 11 - 29.
Is the video poker master considering quitting his game of choice for live poker? Find out in his new weekly column. And don't forget his free video poker classes are up and running again Tuesdays in the Red Rock ballroom at Sam’s Town. Unless otherwise specified, all classes have a beginner’s session at 1 p.m. and an intermediate session at 3 p.m. Must be 21. Topics are 9/6 Jacks or Better (on 7/10); 10/7 Double Bonus (7/17); 9/7 Double Bonus Progressives (7/24, 1 pm only); Full Pay Deuces Wild (7/31). Visit bobdancer.com for more information.
This seems to be a new trend: Following news that Bagatelle's debut at the Trop would be delayed until August while the new Bagatelle Bistro nightly "supper club" was incorporated into the design spec (see "Today's News" 6/13/12), comes word that Botero steakhouse at Encore is now collaborating with Wynncore's nightlife venues to launch "Botero Supper Club." Beginning July 9, partyers headed to Surrender, Tryst, and XS can enjoy a pre-club experience, with the new Botero Supper Club menu, plus specialty cocktails, and an explosive lineup of celebrity DJs, nightly from 9 p.m.
As hinted at yesterday, today's New York Times carries an in-depth feature on the atypical Vegas food scene and its equally unusual restaurant critics, notably Al Mancini and John Curtas, co-authors of Eating Las Vegas. For the next few days Al will be guesting at the NYT's Diner's Journal, and readers are encouraged to, "Ask him anything about the the mix of food, entertainment, and money that is the Las Vegas restaurant scene." So, fire away!
As an aside, Al and John will soon have some more exciting news to share. For now, all we can divulge is that they are currently "in development" with a major TV network... Watch this space!
This Friday, June 29 is the last preliminary round for the SpyOnVegas annual Hot 100 contest, with over $100,000 in cash prizes and more on the line, so register now if you think you've got what it takes.
We have some exciting announcements to make about our Eating Las Vegas restaurant guide, but we can't divulge until tomorrow. Sorry to tease haha! Stay tuned.
Hyde, the new club at Bellagio that occupies the spot that formerly housed the Fontana Lounge, is capitalizing on its prime view of the Bellagio Fountains with a new "Friday at 5" cocktail hour, featuring refreshing summer libations and small bites, with a center-stage view of the fountain show.
Las Vegas' first licensed bar, where Barbra Streisand is said to have hung out shooting pool, closed last year after almost 60 years in business when its former owners both passed away. Now their son, who lives in California, has leased Atomic Liquor to a group of Las Vegas businessmen who hope to restore the historic haunt to its former glory as part of the regeneration of the Fremont Street corridor, reports today's
Here's a reminder that Discovery Channel's new series "The Mobster Confessions" debuts tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The episodes, which will run two per night for the next three weeks, take a look at the lives of ex-mobsters-turned-informatnts who ratted out la cosa nostra and what made them do it. Tonight's episode features some face time with ex-cop-turned-author Dennis Griffin, who has penned several Mafia titles for Huntington Press, and upcoming shows feature the subjects of two of those books, namely Tony "the Ant" Spilotro's right-hand man Frank Cullotta, and ex-Gambino street soldier Andrew DiDonato, whose story is featured in Surviving the Mob. For more stories, DVDs, memorabilia, and more, check out The Mob section at ShopLVA.com.
Last Wednesday, artist LeRoy Neiman passed away at the age of 91. Renowned as a chronicler of modern cultural tastes, his canvases featured sporting stars, gamblers, and showgirls and he was a long-time fan of Las Vegas which, he offered in his memoires, supplied him with "an entire world of freaks, fanatics, operators, suckers, sex, money and frothy make-believe."
Anthony Curtis was honored when Neiman agreed to provide the foreward to The Art of Gambling, the acclaimed coffee-table book he co-authored that features images of gambling through the ages, with historical and artistic annotations, and which includes several of Neiman's iconic Las Vegas vignettes.
An Original Pancake House restaurant will open this summer at Primm Valley Resort. The exact opening date hasn't been specified, but it's been announced that it will be a 24/7 operation.
The price of the great hot dog served from a cart in the Gold Coast sports book has been bumped a quarter to $1.50. It's still a good one, served with kraut and onions for no extra charge, but, but, but another 25 cents? C'mon!
Doug O'Neill, the trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner I'll Have Another, will cash a winning Derby futures ticket he made on his hhorse at the Lucky's sports book in Primm Valley at 9 a.m. on Monday. He'll also sign autographs. O'Neill bet the futures line at 200-1, so the ticket paid $20,000.
Las Vegas' newest poker room has opened at Ellis Island. It's kind of a mini version of the Palms set-up, with the tables located at the front of the sports book area. It's the first time EI has offered live poker.
A new series called "The Mobster Confessions" begins tomorrow night on Discovery Channel at 9 p. ET/PT. Each episode will consist of two half-hour segments, featuring some notorious mobsters, ex-mobsters, and their associates, including several from the Huntington Press stable. We'll have more specific details tomorrow on who's featured when, so check back for updates in this column.
According to Variety magazine, magicians Penn & Teller are among 24 honorees to be awarded with a star on Hollywood's famous Walk of Fame.
CasinoCityTimes has an interview with Ralph Topping, CEO of William Hill, the UK's largest bookmaker, about the company's plans in Nevada and what bettors can expect, now that the company's received license approval to operate race and sports books for Leroy's, Lucky's, and Club Cal Neva.
Don't forget, it's the weekly Saturday Night Truck Stop food truck event at Tommy Rockers on Dean Martin Drive tonight, with Sin City Snoballs, Coast2Coast, Redneck Kitchen, and Lola D's Kitchen all cooking up a storm from 8 p.m. until late.
Rich Franklin is a -155 favorite over Wanderlai Silva in tonight's UFC main event. The over/under is -150 to go under 2.5 rounds.
If you don't quite have that $10K buy-in for the WSOP Main Event, the Riviera has announced a $120-buy-in poker tournament on July 9 with a guaranteed $10,000 prize pool. The maximum entries is 140, and with the guarantee there's an overlay with fewer than 83 players.
Tonight, from 8 to 11 p.m., the Boulevard Pool at Cosmopolitan hosts an offshoot of New York's Luckyrice festival, featuring more than 20 chefs participating in an evening of Asian street foods and cocktails. Local restaurants represented will include Lotus of Siam, Fukuburger, Monta, Raku, Comme Ca, China Poblano, Holsteins, and Wicked Spoon, together with restaurants from New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Tickets are $88; VIP tickets are $125. Visit the Cosmo website for more details.
Cathy Scott, author of our book The Killing of Tupac Shakur, will be at downtown's Mob Museum today, talking books and signing them with former police Lt. Debra Gauthier. The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m.
The closure of Bradley Ogden, originally slated for Jan. 2 of this year but postponed, has now been set for Sunday, Aug. 5, following a 10-year run at Caesars Palace.
Interstate 15 has been hit with a second major accident after a semi-truck was overturned north of where the earlier rollover and chemical spill closed all southbound lanes south of Primm early this morning. NHP reported the second overturn at about 9:35 a.m. on the northbound I-15 between the Jean, Nev. Exit and Underpass Road.
For up-to-date coverage of all WSOP event winners by Anthony Curtis, plus general poker and sports news, check out our dedicated newsfeed at LVAPoker.com.
I-15 southbound lanes heading to California are closed about three miles south of Primm and could remain so for up to 10 hours, following an accident involving an overturned tanker that is spilling a corrosive chemical. Northbound traffic can pass through only one open lane right now and southbound lanes are expected to remain closed most of the day. Drivers heading from Las Vegas to California are advised to travel on U.S. 95 through Searchlight until further notice.
The Nevada Gaming Commission gave final approval Thursday on the states's first interactive gaming licenses for sot manufacturers IGT and Bally Technologies. The companies now must wait for individual casinos to be licensed for interactive gaming, with all the big players currently having applications pending.
UK bookmaking giant William Hill PLC, has been granted its license to operate in Nevada, after a unanimous show of approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday. In 2011, William Hill paid $55 million for American Wagering Inc., Brandywine Bookmaking LLC, and Club Cal-Neva's sports book business in Northern Nevada., giving the company control of 55 percent of the sports-betting market in Nevada.
Don't forget it's the weekly Downtown 3rd Farmers Market tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring organic and local produce, artisanal foods, and more. The (indoor) venue's located off US 95 and Casino Center.
NHP closed two northbound lanes of Boulder Highway were blocked this afternoon, following a three-vehicle collision that took place in front of Boulder Station, just east of the U.S. 95, around 2:45 p.m. We'll keep you posted as we receive updates.
A new show's been added to the lineup of Mandalay Bay's "2012 Bud Light Lime Beach Concert Series," with The All-American Rejects now set to perform on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 9 p.m. The annual concert season, which kicked off last weekend with alt rock band Weezer, is scheduled to run through September, with future performances by the SUMMERLAND 2012 tour stop June 30, featuring Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit, and Marcy Playground, plus future shows including Prince Royce & Intocable, Sublime with Rome & Cypress Hill, Colbie Caillat performing with Gavin DeGraw, 311 with Slightly Stoopid, Sugarland, and a solo performance by Ziggy Marley, in addition to other shows to be announced.
Cantor Fitzgerald has announced that it's in the process of applying for a gambling license in Macau, as the company looks to expand its race and sports betting empire outside of Nevada, where Cantor Gaming currently operates seven books, including at Venetian/Palazzo, one of the giants in the Chinese gambling mecca.
CBS is launching a 24-hour sports-radio network, set to debut Jan. 2, featuring analysts from CBS Sports, CBS Sports Network, and CBSSports. CBS Sports updates will begin airing Sept. 4 on network affiliate stations.
Atlantic City’s historic Boardwalk Hall building is to be the centerpiece for a new 3D lightshow that its promoters say promises to rival the dancing fountains at Bellagio. Beginning July 4, the building will be illuminated in vibrant, pulsating lights in a free show that will run twice an hour on the Boardwalk and is slated to become a year-round attraction and what's thought to be the only permanent 3D show in the country. Click to view a sneak preview of the show, courtesy of a computer rendering on YouTube.
It's all music and laughs this weekend, indoors and out. If you opt for the latter, remember to stay hydrated and slap on the sunblock, because summer has ARRIVED!
Tennis champion Rafael Nadal is to follow in the footsteps of fellow sports star Georges St. Pierre in joining the celebrity ranks at PokerStars, the world's largest online poker site. Rafa will apparently play poker in spare moments this summer in between focusing on his tennis, but will devote more time to cards and to representing PokerStars in online tournaments, in advertising campaigns, and at charity events come the fall.
Budget Vegas-based airline Allegiant Air ended its experiment with open seating today, citing confusion among both travelers and staff, and increased boarding times -- precisely what the opposite of what had been intended. According to the hybrid seat-assignment policy, passengers had the option of paying extra for an assigned seat ahead of time, or receiving a generic boarding pass to get through security on the day of travel and take pot luck from whatever seats remained. Now, within 24 hours of departure, passengers may check in online and receive a random assignment for free.
Further to earlier reports of a crazy run of seven consecutive 19s on a roulette wheel at the Rio comes a more prosaic explanation of the photograph Tweeted Monday that showed the apparent 3 billion-to-1 shot. According to a report posted in the Detroit News, a spokesman for Caesars Entertainment explained that "There was no one playing at that table. It was just a diagnostic test being done."
World Poker Tour has announced the addition of two new tour stops for 2012, with the Emperors Palace Poker Classic in Johannesburg, S. Africa, scheduled for this October representing the first tour stop in the Southern Hemisphere, and a return to Canada for the first time since 2008 with the WPT Montreal event at the Playground Poker Club in Quebec this November.
Today's LV Sun carries a picture taken by pro-poker player Jeff Romano Monday night at the Rio, which shows a roulette wheel apparently hitting the number 19 on seven straight spins, before the ball landed on 15, then hit 19 once again for a run of eight 19s in nine spins. The odds on the unbroken seven consecutive 19s hitting are 3 billion to 1.
Nevada Highway Patrol closed I-15 north near the Sloan exit this afternoon, following a fatal rollover accident that happened at about 12:20 in which a 39-year-old woman died and five others were injured. Two lanes of I-15 have since been re-opened.
There's a 48-hour room sale at the new Tropicana Las Vegas, with rates starting at $52. Hurry and book now -- sale ends 9 a.m. June 22!
The UFC and the LVCVA have announced plans for the first annual "International Fight Week," which will take place around UFC 148, from July 3 through July 7. The inaugural week-long event will feature the largest ever gathering of fighters, unprecedented access to UFC stars, the biggest UFC Fan Expo to date, open workouts with UFC 148 fighters, pool parties, and pub crawls hosted by fighters and Octagon Girls, a concert and will culminate in UFC 148: Silva vs Sonnen II.
Robin Leach is reporting in his Vegas DeLuxe blog that the cast and crew of the Playboy Radio Morning Show are set to start five days of live remote broadcasts from a selection of Las Vegas' topless pools, starting this Sunday. Co-hosted by Kevin Kline and guest DJ and model Andrea Lowell, the daily three-hour show will kick off at Venus Pool Club at Caesars, followed by MBay's Moorea Beach on Monday, Naked at Artisan on Tuesday, Bare Pool Lounge at the Mirage on Wednesday, wrapping up at the Voo at the Rio next Thursday. Other guests throughout the week will include Matt Goss, Nathan Burton (check out our FREE ticket off for his and other shows at couponsinvegas.com), Holly Madison, Laura Coft, Jessica Hinton, and Robin Leach himself. Andrea Lowell has promised to go topless if the crowd joins her.
BB King’s Blues Club at the Mirage will debut Lucille’s Dueling Pianos on Thursday, July 5, with a repetoire covering everything from Billy Joel to Bon Jovi and beyond, we're informed. The show will perform Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a cover charge of $5 on Thursdays and $10 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Don't forget to submit your best cityscapes of Las Vegas for a chance to win a free LVA membership, plus other goodies, and of course the chance to have your photo featured on our new website, which is being designed as we write. Just a few tips: Broad views of the city, or an iconic area like downtown or the Strip, work better than individual properties. A mix of day and night is fine, just try to make sure they're in focus! And no more pictures of Earth Hour, please -- pitch darkness doesn't quite sum up "Vegas" to us lol. Otherwise, anything goes; just email a low res version to [email protected] by the end of this week. Thanks, and good luck everyone!
This week's Tuesday column from video poker guru Bob Dancer has him delving deep into perfect video poker strategy. Warning: You might want another cup of coffee before you dive into this one!
There's a 40-foot long "trailer station" on the site of the former Moulin Rouge (at the corner of Bonanza and H Street) until 2 p.m. today. The temporary "pop-up" casino has 16 operational slot machines and the exercise is in order to preserve the site's nonrestricted gaming license.
Rao’s restaurant at Caesars Palace is breaking with tradition and sharing some of its family advice on a new YouTube series. The monthly series of videos will air starting today, featuring everything from tips on bocce ball, cooking, and family life, to behind-the-scenes tours of the restaurant. It's all part of the promotional effort for the new Rao’s on the Grill cookbook.
Allyn Jaffrey-Shulman, a Las Vegas attorney, won the No-Limit Hold'em Seniors World Championship on Monday to become the first woman to win an open event at the WSOP since 2008, when Vanessa Selbst won the $1,500 PLO event.
The Resorts World racino at Aqueduct topped the nation in slot machine revenue in May, generating $57.5 million. Mohegan Sun in neighboring Connecticut, however, took in only $55.4 million, down 9.1 percent on the same month the previous year. Foxwoods ranked third with $50.4 million in slot revenue, down 9.8 percent on May 2011.
A jury in the federal perjury case involving former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens has found him not guilty on all counts of lying to Congress about steroid use.
We just bagged a new free-for-all offer at couponsinvegas.com, our dedicated site for downloadable deals. The latest offer is free tix for Jeff Civillico: Comedy in Action at the IP but that's just one of the numerous freebies and discounts, including lots that are free for anyone to use, like a free hookah and well shot at a new club, or free tix to a great retro rock show downtown. Members-only deals include exclusive discounts on shows and attractions, free food and drink offers, and much more, and we're adding new deals all the time, so keep checking back or follow @couponsinvegas.
It's been confirmed that Mike Tyson and director Spike Lee will take the ex-boxer's autobiographical one-man show to Broadway. The former heavyweight champion and the Oscar-nominated director announced Monday Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth will open at the Longacre Theater July 31 and run for six nights, through Aug. 5. The show debuted in Las Vegas ealier this year.
Expect a detour on the northbound I-15 in North Las Vegas over coming nights, as construction takes place on the new N. 5th Street overpass. The highway is scheduled to be closed between Lake Mead and Cheyenne Avenues from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., from June 18-21, and again from June 25-28.
We're in the process of completely redesigning our website. The last time we did this was back in 2007 and we ran a photo contest giving readers the chance to have their image displayed on the LVA home page. Now that we're updating, we need some new images and we'd love to be able to use ones our readers have taken again. So, if you have a great Vegas cityscape that you think captures the essence of the town, then please send in your submission. The winner(s) will receive a surprise gift package, in addition to having their image displayed on our site. Images can be of the Strip or downtown, street level, aerial, or whatever interesting angle you have. All we request is nothing seasonal -- no Christmas trees! -- and make sure the image is in focus! Send a low-res copy of your picture if you can, so that your email doesn't get spammed. We'll request a hi-res version if you're a winner. Thanks, and good luck everyone! Email your picture(s) to: [email protected]
Flamingo Las Vegas headliners Donny & Marie are celebrating the Independence Day holiday with an additional 4 p.m. matinee show, in addition to their 7:30 p.m. show, on Tuesday, July 3 and are offering a $25 Main Floor ticket discount for locals during the matinee performance.
On Saturday, Sept. 1, legendary crooner Tony Bennett will perform for one night only at Caesars' Colossuem. Tickets, which start at $59.50, to on dale at 10 a.m. this Friday, June 22.
Score!, the sports memorabilia store in Luxor, will host a Stanley Cup public viewing for hockey fans from 4 to 7 p.m. this evening. There will be L.A. Kings 2012 Stanley Cup items for sale, plus 20 other NHL trophies on display and a live in-store broadcast by NHL radio.
With temperatures expected to reach or exceed 110 degrees Monday through Wednesday, additional cooling stations will be open to the public this week in an effort to help the homeless and other individuals stay out of the heat and keep them hydrated. Visit the Fox5 News website for a list of locations and opening times, or dial 211 free from any phone to find the station nearest to you.
Cantor Gaming is to expand its Las Vegas casino presence and operate a new race and sports book. The agreement also includes the introduction of the company's proprietary mobile wagering service property-wide, including in hotel rooms. Construction of the new race and sports book is targeted for completion by the third quarter of 2012.
With wind gusts of up to 50 mph forecast, the Clark County Department of Air Quality has issued a dust advisory running into this evening. Drivers on the I-15 corridor to southern California are particularly liable to be affected and are advised to use caution.
Two long shots are leading the U.S. Open golf tournament going into today's final round. Both at -1, Jim Furyk was 30-1 to win on the futures line, while Graeme McDowell went off at 60-1. Furyk is the favorite going into today's round at +295, followed by McDowell at +315. Tiger Woods, five shots back, is +1400.
It turns out things didn't go as well as originally depicted at last week's Electric Daisy Carnival. Two deaths connected with the festival have been reported, though both occured outside of the event proper. In the first, a 22-year-old woman fell 20 stories from her hotel room at Circus Circus after an Ecstasy-related episode. In the second, a 31-year-old man was hit by a truck while crossing the street outside of the Motor Speedway.
The usual special brunches and meals are running all over town today for Father's Day, along with other deals of all sorts. Dads get a free draft beer at the new Ranch House Kitchen brunch. Eat at Fogo de Chão in the Hughes Center and dads get a complimentary meal on a return trip. Dads receive free admission to the CSI Experience at MGM Grand. Rhumbar at the Mirage has a cocktail-and-cigar pairing for $20. Kids eat free at PBR Rock Bar with the purchase of an entree, and dad's ride the mechanical bull for free. Silverton is paying 2X points. Poker Palace is awarding bonuses from $10 to $50 (depending on denom played) for hitting four kings in video poker. Unadvertised specials will also be available in many places, so keep your eyes open for a deal.
Las Vegas fashion boutique Haute Chix and photographer Kid Yosh will host a model search today at Sunday Scene, the new locals' pool party at Palms Pool. The model search will consist of an open Mimosa bar for ladies from 1-2 p.m., a 1st and 2nd prize winner, and Haute Chix gift bags for the first 25 contestants.
With temperatures expected to reach or exceed 110 degrees next Monday through Wednesday, additional cooling stations will be open to the public in an effort to help the homeless and other individuals stay out of the heat and keep them hydrated. Anyone in need of a cooling station is encouraged to dial 211 from any phone to find the nearest location or visit helphopehome.org.
The numbers are definitely down at the World Series of Poker. They aren't broadcasting it, but by our unofficial count, in the first 27 events repeating from last year, 23 have had fewer entries. The total entries in these tournaments are off 19%. A similar tally by Bluff magazine paints a less dismal, though still negative, picture. Read more and summaries of each event at LVAPoker.com.
Fiesta Rancho and Henderson have cut buffet prices to $3.99 for breakfast, $4.99 for lunch, and $5.99 for dinner. Must show a players card. This is easily one of the best buffet deals in town.
Successful local boutique chain Patty's Closet debuts its seventh location today, with an 11 a.m. grand opening at its new Aliante location (215 and North Decatur). The store will continue with the existing company concept and carry only six of each style in sizes small, medium, and large. All shoppers will receive 20% off their entire purchase on opening day, with goodie bags handed out to the first 50 guests who make purchases.
It's another Bonus Point Day at Station Casinos today, with Boarding Pass members receiving 6 bonus points for every dollar spent on video poker and 10 bonus points for every dollar spent on all slots.
Catch a free live performance by Hawaiian rock band PEPPER at 5 p.m. this evening inside Volcom in the Miracle Mile, prior to their poolside gig at Hard Rock tonight.
Pinnacle Entertainment has announced its acquisition of bankrupt Federated Sports & Gaming, which operated the Epic Poker League and Heartland Poker Tour. Federated filed for Chapter 11 protection in February, owing a debt of $2 million to Pinnacle.
It's National Flip Flop Day and Tropical Smoothie Café locations are running their annual promo, with a free 24-oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie today for flip flop-wearing customers.
Popular showman Frankie Moreno, who performs original music and classic hits with his 10-piece band in the showroom at Stratosphere, celebrated his 100th show there this week, with a cast of famous friends, and announced that his contract has been extended for another two years, running through October 2015.
The much-acclaimed traveling exhibit, Da Vinci -- The Genius debuts today at the Venetian for a limited run of unspecified duration. The most comprehensive exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s work ever created, it's an interactive experience featuring full-scale interpretations of the mastermind’s inventions, brought to life for the first time ever, plus unique exhibits exploring iconic works, including "Mona Lisa." And the best news is, we have a $5 discount off the $25 General Admission price, and it's FREE for anyone to download -- you don't even need to be an LVA member! Just visit couponsinvegas.com to take advantage of this and lots of other offers.
An early Happy Fathers' Day to all the dads out there. You'll find all kinds of special menus and perks around town this weekend, plus here's some ideas for all the rest of us, too:
For a handy running update of event results and other happenings at the WSOP, follow Anthony Curtis' posts at the joint newsfeed at LVAPoker.com or LVASports.com.
In celebration of Flag Day, El Cortez is serving players a free slice of Marie Callender's apple pie from noon to 6 p.m. today, while supplies last.
Troubled North Las Vegas gets a little boost later this month with the scheduled opening of the new SpringHill Suites Las Vegas North Speedway Hotel on Craig Road, near Interstate 15, scheduled to open June 22. The 94-suite hotel hopes to cater to racing enthusiasts and members of the military and their families.
IGT has added a new Elvis The King video slot game to its "Pop Culture" series, which also features the "Sex in the City Big Diamonds" game.
The long-rumored closure of Switch at Encore has now been officially confirmed; no word as yet as to what will take its place. July 22 will be final day in its current incarnation and an undisclosed "new concept" will debut in December.
Following reports of a hissy fit on stage, followed by hospitalization and show cancelations, Elton John is evidently back on form and has just announced the next tranche of dates for his ongoing residency at Caesars' Colosseum. Tickets for Elton John -- The Million Dollar Piano, which start at $55, go on sale June 18 and include select dates from Oct. 11 through 28.
A reader on our Vegas Free-for-All forum posted the following comment about the latest offer posted at couponsinvegas.com, the dedicated LVA site for free and member-only downloadable discounts. The offer in question is free for anyone to use:
"Suggestion: Maybe the title should say it's 'Free Tickets to a Great Show.' Never seen Jay Bolan? Take the word of your members. Seven LVA members have reviewed it over about the last month, and ALL have given it 5 out of 5 stars. Here is my rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
"Jay Bolan is a fantastic musician, it's a nice room with great sound, and they didn't even hassle my wife when she walked in with a Starbucks. It's just Jay and his guitars, but don't let the 'acoustic' in the title fool you. This ain't no mellow strum and sing. Jay Bolan can rock.
"If you like music, especially '70s and '80s, it's worth full price. And FREE is even better! Thank you LVA."
No, thank you, and you're welcome!
A Las Vegas judge has denied Floyd Mayweather's request to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest. Representatives for the boxer argued earlier this week that his continued incarceration would end his fighting career, due to dietary insufficiencies and the inability to train. Judge Melissa Saragosa has rejected the appeal, however, arguing that Mayweather has chosen not to eat the food available and that he could train in his cell.
Meanwhile, in other boxing news, word came today that the WBO is to review Timothy Bradley's controversial split-decision victory over Manny Pacquiao last weekend. The outcome "puts boxing in a very horrible light," commented promoter Bob Arum. "I'm looking for the sport to do damage control, and the only way it does damage control is if you do a full and complete investigation."
No, it's not a late verse from "The 12 Days of Christmas," but rather a casting call from the D downtown, which is to hold an open audition for the largest party pit in Sin City. The hotel will hold auditions Friday, June 29th on Fremont Steet’s Third Street Stage and would-be dealers should report to the D’s ballroom at 2 p.m. that day for registration and brief choreography before auditions commence. The property plans to make immediate hires, contingent on a later HR screening. Good luck, ladies!
Motorists being advised to avoid Rainbow Blvd. between Alexander and Craig, due to a large sinkhole that developed in the outside southbound lane this afternoon. That lane is closed to traffic until repairs can be made, a process that could take a week or two. In the meantime, Torrey Pines an Tenaya are suggested as alternate routes.
There have been numerous changes out at Primm Valley Resorts. Here's a quick summary:
There's another new offer at couponsinvegas.com and it's open to all -- you don't even need to be an
The new al fresco restaurant/nightclub/pool experience coming to the Tropicana, which was due to open Memorial Day, will now not debut until Aug. 1, reports Robin Leach, due to changes in the plans that call for the construction of a full-service kitchen to accommodate a new Bagatelle Bistro seven-day-a-week supper club.
Henry Hill, the inspiration for the Ray Liotta character in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, has died at the age of 69 from an undisclosed illness. In recent years Hill, who among other things had co-written The Wise Guy Cook Book, often hosted media and public events with fellow mobster-turned-informant Frank Cullotta.
Catch Eating Las Vegas author Al Mancini relating his experience of "Eating in the Dark" at Artisan on KNPR's State of Nevada, airing now on 88.9 FM (Al's segment is coming up later, and the show repeats at 8 p.m. this evening, or click the link for the podcast. The whole concept of dining in darkness was started in Switzerland by a blind man who held dinner parties at his home, then opened a restaurant called Blindekuh ("the blind cow") in Zurich, in 1999, staffed by blind people. The concept has since been repeated in other cities, but never before in Las Vegas.
We just heard from the man himself, and it turns out we were misinformed by both box offices. The theater at Paris is still being remodeled, it's just been pushed back awhile. Anthony Cools' last show there will be on June 17th; he opens in his temporary home at Bally's on the 21st, then will return to the newly renovated theater at Paris late July. And that's official.
You have until midnight to cast your vote in our current Reader Poll, surveying your thoughts about online gambling. Tomorrow a new poll will go live.
Las Vegas experienced a slight decline in visitation in April, down to 3.3 million, as opposed to 3.4 million the previous year, reports the LVCVA.
Adult hypnotist Anthony Cools has apparently changed his mind about a remodel of his theater at Paris, and will no longer be relocating his show to Bally's, as reported earlier (see "Today's News," 5/23/12). Hence, the rumored discounted $15 tickets have not, and will not be available (but there's a twofer offer in the 2012 Member Rewards Book.)
We just bagged a $5-off discount off an Adult General Admission ticket to the much-anticipated new traveling exhibit coming to Venetian June 15. Da Vinci -- the Genius is the most comprehensive exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s work ever created and is an interactive experience featuring full-scale interpretations of the mastermind’s inventions, brought to life for the first time ever, plus unique exhibits exploring iconic works by da Vinci, including "Mona Lisa." You can find the offer at CouponsinVegas.com, and it's FREE for anyone to download! While you're there, check out all the other new recent additions, including great nightlife deals open to all, and exclusive LVA member discounts off buffets, shows, popular attractions, plus gambling matchplays, and more!
Bob Dancer has posted a "9/6 Double Double Bonus Quick Quads" quiz (try saying that after a couple of adult beverages) as the subject of this week's column, and confesses to having almost gotten one of the answers wrong himself. See how you fare against the video poker maestro!
808 Sushi (7435 S. Durango) launches a regular Tuesday Trivia contest on Facebook today, with the chance to win a free roll of your choice. The question will go live at noon. See the 808 Sushi website for rules.
Construction is underway for Hakkasan Las Vegas, the new Chinese-inspired restaurant, lounge, and nightclub that's taking the space formerly occupied by Studio 54. The five-level space is scheduled to open December.
Kill Phil author Blair Rodman was present to observe some historic poker matches go down at the WSOP this past weekend. Check out his latest report in our Spotling on... feature.
State gaming revenue in April was up more than 6% compared to the same month last year, according to the latest report released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, with a 25% jump for downtown compared with the same period last year.
It was back in 2009 that the Kilroy's on W. Charleston, long famed for its hamburgers, bit the dust. Now the remaining Kilroy's at Grand Canyon and Flamingo will be closigng June 20. That leaves only one remaining Kilroy's (formerly Ozzie's), at Spring Mountain and Decatur (and this one's burger-free: No kitchen.)
The National Park Service has confirmed that one person was killed and 18 other construction workers were trapped today when a tunnel near Lake Mead partially collapsed, reports Channel 8. At least 25 workers were also exposed to toxic gases during the incident, which occurred in tunnels under construction by the Nevada Water Authority.
Our apologies to anyone who had a wasted trip to the Feast buffet at Red Rock last weekend, looking for the twofer special -- we just realized that it only runs Monday through Thursday, now until June 28. It's good once per day and can be used for any meal.
Comme Ça, located inside the Cosmopolitan, launches a new "gastropub" menu this evening, featuring bar-food classics with a French twist.
Metro has confirmed that more than 300,000 partyers attended the second annual Electric Daisy Carnival last weekend, beating last year's attendance by 60,000. By all accounts, the event went off remarkably smoothly, aside from heavy winds forcing early closure on Saturday. Police made 54 felony arrests, mainly drug-related; the only other notable incident was when a Florida man suspected of being drunk was struck by a truck outside the Speedway venue early this morning and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
ARTrageous Vegas, the annual avant garde fashion show, is taking place at the Cosmopolitan on July 28 and the organizers are seeking models of all shapes and sizes, hair and make-up artists, and fashion designers. Click here for more information and submission deadlines (which are looming!)
At an event held yesterday at the original Nobu restaurant location in New York, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and other partners hosted an event showcasing a sneak peak at what the Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace will look like -- apparently a "a playful interpretation of Nobu’s style and the Vegas bravado." Guest bookings will begin Oct. 1.
Larry's Hideaway, the country bar that first opened as Larry's Old Ranch House in 1962, is to close, due a new water surcharge that no longer makes the business viable, reports today's R-J. Unless the current owner can find a buyer, the saloon and dancehall will close June 30.
Phil Hellmuth won his 12th World Series of Poker event on Sunday, extending his lead over Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan, who have 10 each. The win came in Seven-Card Razz, marking Hellmuth's first title in a non-hold 'em event. Hellmuth prevailed over an all-star final table that included five other former bracelet winners. Read more about this and every WSOP tournament as it concludes at LVAPoker.com.
Red Rock Resort is offering 2-for-1 Feast buffets until June 28. Swipe your Boarding Pass card at a kiosk to get the offer. It's good once per day and can be used for any meal. Great deal!
McCarran International Airport's new Terminal 3 held an open house Saturday. The $2.4 billion, three-story, 1.9 million-square-foot expansion will add 14 gates and several new restaurants and retail stores. The first flights are scheduled for June 27.
Hogs & Heifers is hosting a Luau BBQ today from 4 - 8 p.m., with Hawaiian food, drink specials, giveaways, and live music.
The high-end shopping mall at Caesars continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary, with nostalgic window displays in many stores, while Sushi Roku has created a $20 lunch special featuring three courses and a choice of sake or a soft drink.
Manny Pacquiao is a -400 favorite over Timothy Bradley in tonight's championship boxing match. It's expected to go the distance, with over 9.5 rounds -225.
Dennis DeYoung performs the music of Styx on the First Street Stage on Fremont Street from 9 p.m. tonight. The concert is free to attend.
Day one of the Electric Daisy Carnival is in the books and there were no reports of trouble. The three-day festival is expected to draw about 115,000 people each day, creating late-afternoon and evening traffic snarls near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
With the scratch of favorite I'll Have Another, Dullahan is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for today's Belmont Stakes, followed by Union Rags at 3-1. The longshots are Guyana Star Dweez, Ravelo's Boy, and Five Sixteen, all at 30-1.
This week's episode of "This American Life" (KNPR 88.9FM) airs from 11 a.m. today and is all about card-counting, featuring ex-MIT team member Andy Bloch. It repeats tomorrow.
Despite the recent closure of its venture at the Palms, a spokesman for the Playboy media empire has said that they will "probably" open a new venue in town, while brand licensing remains Playboy's highest-margin business and other Playboy clubs around the world continue to be successful.
It's the annual Henderson Summerfest, with performing and visual arts demonstrations, children’s activities, concerts, Broadway musicals, poetry, dance shows, and more from 2-10 p.m. Visit HendersonLive.com for more information.
Someone at Caesars Palace has entered into the spirit and dressed up Caesar Augustus in headphones and a glow necklace in honor of Electric Daisy Carnival. Whoever you are, thanks for making our afternoon.
We understand the earlier computer problems at MRI's Las Vegas properties has been fixed, and their sites have been back up for about 45 minutes, which hopefully means the check-in congestion will end soon.
Some tech issues with his former blog have prompted us to house Kill Phil author Blair Rodman's WSOP updates on the main LVA site this year, so we'll be posting them in the Spotlight on... column that you can access via our home page. Blair's first report from the 43rd series has just been posted, and finds him sharing his opinions on some of the controversies that have mired the early stages of this year's event somewhat. Check it out, and look out for regular upcoming reports, while you can follow Blair's tournament progress on Twitter at
Officials with MGM Resorts International are reporting sporadic computer outages at all of the company's properties, causing extra0-lengthy lines at check-in. With EDC and the Pacquiao fight converging, it's a super-busy weekend with most rooms sold out for the duration, so let's hope they can fix the glitch soon.
An accident has blocked westbound lanes of Tropicana Ave. just east of the Strip, near Koval Lane, so avoid the area if you can.
Game-making giant IGT is the latest entity to be granted approval for an Internet gaming license. The company is already running online gaming in other regulated countries.
That's today, and in honor of the event, guests of Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage and Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay are invited to discover the impact each of us has on our oceans through hands-on activities in the gift shop from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today.
Smashburger, the fast-growing "better burger" chain, with multiple venues in the Vegas Valley, has landed its first casino venue, with a location inside the food court at Fiesta Rancho that's due to open on Thursday, June 14. The new restaurant will be open from 9 a.m. daily until 11 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturdays. A limited breakfast menu will also be featured.
In breaking news, we just learned that I'll Have Another, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, will not run in Saturday's Belmont due to a swollen front-left tendon.
Tonight's episode of This American Life, which airs on home NPR station WBEZ at 7 p.m. CST and then plays nationally on radio stations around the country this weekend, is dedicated to the subject of blackjack and features a number of well-known players, we understand. If blackjack's your thing, definitely check out our new title, The Blackjack Life, which is the first new book on the subject that's excited Anthony Curtis in years, and is currently on offer at a deep pre-publication discount (it ships next month).
Okay, perhaps "massacre" is an exaggeration, but the valley's food-truck scene has taken a few hits of late, mainly in the Hawaiian food and sandwich categories. When the total tally of mobile eateries approached 40, we were pretty sure there'd be some casualties, particularly among duplicate food genres; if anything, we're pleasantly surprised by how many of these enterprises seem to be thriving. You can check out our updated list of food truck listings in our Restaurant Guide.
The Vegas Valley's favorite sandwich chain received a shout out on national TV from none other than the President today, when Barack Obama gave a special mention to Capriotti's during his rally at UNLV today. Nice one!
ABBA tribute show Dancing Queen is now performing in the new Broadway Theater at New York-New York. You can catch the show Tuesday to Sunday at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $49.95, available from the Zumanity box office.
British bookmaker William Hill has been recommended by the GCB to receive a license to operate race and sports books and mobile wagering apps in Nevada, which takes it a step closer to completing its aquisition of Leroy's. The recommendation will now be taken up by the Nevada Gaming Commission.
It's all about fighting and laughing this weekend. Oh, and there's some little music event called EDC taking place, apparently...
Air Force One has delivered President Obama to Las Vegas. He's addressing supporters at a rally at UNLV's Cox Pavilion.
June 18-19 the Four Queens downtown will host the annual Silver Strikers $10,000 Summer Slot Tournament. It's $251 for entry into the tournament only, or single/double-occupancy room packages are available at the hotel for members of the players club, and include entry, plus admission to the awards banquet, and limited-edition Silver Strike token.
Nevada's first bricks-and-mortar casino license may have gone to the Northern Club (see Question of the Day 2/27/12), but Bally Technologies is to become the first licensed online gaming company in the U.S., having received approval from the Nevada State Gaming Control Board. A spokesman for the company said that 50 casinos, many of them in Nevada, are interested in buying or leasing Bally's "infrastructure system" to enable players to make casino wagers using their mobile phones and computers. The system will work for table games, slot machines, poker, bingo, and sports betting. Federal law means that bets will currently only be taken inside Nevada.
Final approval must still be received from the state Gaming Commission, which is due to meet June 21, then a testing period must be completed to make sure that minors and out-of-staters are excluded from playing before any online-gambling system goes live.
Maryland Live! casino, the first of five casino locations finally approved to open in the state after years of argument, debuted Wednesday night. It features 4,750 slot machines and electronic table games.
Gossip columnist Robin Leach is reporting in his blog today that Legends in Concert*, the longest running celebrity-tribute show in the world, which plays at several locations nationwide, will end its run at Harrah's at the end of September, nearly 30 years after it first debuted at Imperial Palace. The rumor is that Million Dollar Quartet, the touring show currently performing a limited run at The Smith Center, will take over the Legends theater this October. Watch this space for updates!
LVA members, be sure to take advantage of the 2-for-1 ticket deal in the 2012 Member Rewards Book while you still can!
The venerable Steak House at Circus Circus, the diamond in the rough at the family-oriented north Strip hotel, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. To mark the milestone, the restaurant's serving a $30 petite filet or prime rib dinner special now through the end of June. Happy Birthday!
Kings Row Bar and Grill, formerly the Blue Ox, was completely gutted by a two-alarm fire that ripped through the newly remodeled venue in the early hours of this morning. The bar, located at S. Valley View near Sirius Avenue, was closed at the time and no injuries are reported. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.
Paris has entered the fray surprisingly late, but has just announced the debut of a new party pit called Ooh La La, featuring a go-go dancer runway running through the middle of the tables.
Starting June 17, struggling supermarket chain Albertson's is to cut up to 2,500 jobs across all of its 247 stores in Nevada and California, it's been announced.
It's taken us awhile to get to it, but we just completed a major update of our casino-tournament listings. From poker to slots to blackjack to keno, we now list all the majors, minis, and invitational tournaments around town so check it out.
A new traveling exhibit called "Da Vinci – The Genius" will open at the Venetian June 15, in time for the resort's summer Carnivale festivities. The most comprehensive exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s work ever created, the interactive experience features full-scale interpretations of his inventions, a unique in-depth analysis of the Mona Lisa," and much more. It's from the same company that now runs the revamped "Mob Attraction" at the Trop, which we had a blast at, we've seen the Da Vinci catalog and it looks awesome. This exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for the duration of its limited engagement here; adult tickets are $25, or $20 for locals.
Westbound lanes of the I-215 near the I-15 have been closed following a chemical spill, with traffic being diverted to I-15 before the spill scene.
Evil Dead The Musical: 4D, which performed at the Onyx Theatre and then didn't open at the Plaza, will now debut at the V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops on June 22. The show will perform Friday 10 p.m. and Saturday 11:30 p.m. and tickets start at $46.98.
For the sixth year in succession, downtown's Golden Nugget will be the first casino in Las Vegas to post lines on its 2012 College Football Games of the Year this June 11, announcing over one hundred key games to take place Aug. 31 through the last game on Dec. 8.
Changes have been coming in dribs and drabs, with the closure of the Playboy Club and retail outlet, the exit of Playboy Comedy, the end of the road for Garduños and Amp Salon, and a new Cantor race and sports book. Now comes news of a sweeping $50-million upgrade that will add two new outlets to the food court, an upgrade to the buffet and 428 rooms, the addition of 250 new slots, and a remodel for the Center Bar. Rumors continue to circulate that the property's nightspots -- Moon, Rain, and Ghostbar -- are also in line for renovations.
Maine’s new Oxford Casino opened for business Tuesday evening. It features 500 slots, a restaurant, a lounge, and a dozen table games including blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette.
Sin City Comedy is to close at the end of this month prior to relocating from the V Theater to a custom-built venue inside Planet Hollywood, due to open in August, reports Robin Leach. Eye Candy, the short-lived burlesque show that debuted at the Trop, will also apparently be reopening at Planet Ho. We'll keep you posted.
The Tropicana just launched a new 72-hour summer sale, with rates starting at just $56/night. Book now to avoid disappointment!
Would-be singing stars are invited to take part in a Caesars Ent. contest that will reward the winner with two tickets to see Shania Twain at the Colosseum and the chance to perform for up to a week at a venue on the Strip. Fans can audition by singing their favorite Shania song in a custom-designed singing space in the Total Rewards booth at the CMA Music Festival June 7-10. The booth will be located in Fan Alley off Broadway and 4th Avenue, and will be open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. June 7, 8, and 9 and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. June 10. Video entries will also be accepted online at www.Facebook.com/CaesarsPalace from June 18–July 15, where you can also find more details about the contest.
There are reports that Metro's investigating a on Begonia Valley Avenue, near Windmill Parkway, which has been closed west of Eastern Avenue. Motorists are advised to find an alternate route.
For the first time in a half-decade, Anthony Curtis has found a blackjack book he considers worthy of publishing. Not only is The Blackjack Life a really good read; it truly brings new and relevant insights to the table and is recommended reading for any blackjack player, whether casual or pro. Due back from the printer in mid-July, now through June 30 only we're offering a massive pre-publication discount on this title, with 50% off cover price, plus reduced shipping. Check it out at ShopLVA, where you can also read an excerpt from The Blackjack Life.
Frank Pellegrino Jr. of Rao's at Caesars Palace will be hosting a book signing and cooking demonstration at Whole Foods Market in Henderson from 6 p.m. this evening.
Steve Wynn has unveiled the plans for his latest project in Macau, revealing that he intends to spend $4 billion on second Macau resort. The 6 million-square-foot development will include 2,000 hotel rooms, 500 gaming tables, 10 restaurants, retail outlets, a spa, meeting space, a nightclub, and an eight-acre lagoon and is expected to take up to four years to complete.
If you're fortunate enough to hit a hand-pay jackpot, how much should you tip? Professional video poker player Bob Dancer has the answers in this week's column. You'll find it in the "Features" section, above "Question of the Day."
President Obama will speak at the Cox Pavilion's indoor arena at UNLV on Thursday for what will be his 10th visit to Nevada as president. The event, which is open to the public, kicks off at 12:50 p.m. and free tickets will be available on the day on a first come, first served basis.
MobileCuisine.com has launched a contest to find the best food-truck graphic design in the nation, and two of Las Vegas' mobile eateries have been nominated, so cast your votes for Chi Town Hustler or Haulin' Balls and support our local food-truck scene.
La Cage, which has been back performing at the Riviera after a three-year hiatus, has closed unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Rock of Ages has been confirmed for the Venetian and is scheduled to open this December.
Celebrity stylist Michael Boychuck is to exit the Palms at the end of June, when Amp Salon will close. His Color salon will remain at Caesars, and Boychuck is to open a new venue called Life somewhere near Red Rock Resort, reports Robin Leach.
Genting Malaysia stock dropped steeply in Kuala Lumpur trading today after talks to build a $4 billion convention center next to its New York City casino fell through. the plan had been to build a 3.8 million-square-foot convention center at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, where Genting opened Resorts World Casino last year, but New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has confirmed that negotiations had fallen down.
The aquatic acrobatic show at Wynn has been named best production in Las Vegas by the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association for the second year running. You can find discounts on tix to Le Reve in our Vegas Deals section.
We just learned that Lola’s, A Louisiana Kitchen downtown will also be featured on the Food Network’s hit show, "Diner’s, Drive-ins and Dives" tonight, and is hosting a viewing party at the Stratosphere from 6-8 p.m. (NOTE: In an earlier post, we'd been misinformed that the show airs at 10 p.m. -- it's actually 7 p.m. PST). Proprietor Lola Pokorny will host the party, which will benefit Spinal Muscular Atrophy, featuring complimentary small bits and a cash bar. Tickets are $25. RSVP to [email protected].
High winds are forecast for this afternoon, prompting another dust advisory from Clark County officials. The air-quality advisory is expected to last through Tuesday morning and updates will be posted on the county website.
It is, apparently, both National Cheese Day and National Cognac Day, so Alizé at the top of the Palms is hosting a double celebration from 5:30 p.m. this evening, with a special cheese-and-cognac pairing for $35 per person. The featured cheese will be Cave-Aged Delice de Bourgogne, paired with Kelt VSOP Tour de Monde cognac.
The latest episode of Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show airs tonight at 10 p.m. and finds Guy Fieri back in Sin City for "All Vegas, All the Time." The two featured restaurants are Naked City Pizza, which serves authentic favorites from Buffalo, NY, including legendary pizza (for which we have an exclusive deal for LVA members at couponsinvegas.com*), and Forte Tapas, which serves authentic East European comfort food and Spanish tapas in a funky European setting, and is among the Essential 50 picks reviewed in the 2012 edition of Eating Las Vegas. Bon appétit!
(Note: even if you're not an LVA member (you're not? why not?!), you can still find some great free-for-all deals at couponsinvegas.com, including a new offer for a complimentary hookah AND a free shot at a plush new nightspot, so check it out.)
Andy Bloch, one of the best-known poker players not to have won a WSOP tournament, has gotten the monkey off his back, winning the $1.5K Seven Card Stud event. Get results on all the events as they're concluded at LVAPoker.com.
It's a new pool party, but it's not in Vegas. The Splash Pool Party Summer Series takes place at the City of Dreams in Macau, proving that the concept is popular at casinos worldwide. "We think this will answer the increasingly discerning demands of our stylish and affluent party-lovers from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and across Asia, said a spokesman.
The schedule for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has been announced and a record 24 teams will take part. Some of the best players in the NBA will play at the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavililion in games that run July 13-22.
The Electronic Daisy Carnival, running next weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speeedway, is sold out. Organizers expect 300,000 attendees at the three-day music festival and say it's the fastest the event has sold out in its 16-year history.
We now have official confirmation of the closing of the Gold Rush and its transition into Wildfire Sunset. A remodeling will run through the summer and the the new casino will open "in the Fall."
Kim Kardashian will be at Kardashian Khaos at the Mirage today from 1 to 3 p.m. She's appearing to promote her new perfume.
We've put up the first updates on the World Series of Poker outcomes at LVAPoker.com and will continue to report results there throughout the meet. Top stories so far are the first ever "double-cash" (cashing in simultaneously played events) by Mike Sexton and a new record for consecutive tournaments played without a female winner -- although several have come close this week.
The next batch of concert dates, beginning in September, have been announced for Garth Brooks at Encore. Garth weekends will be September 21,22; October 5,6 and 26,27; and November 16,17. Tickets go on sale June 9.
It's the end of the road for the Playboy Club at the Palms. The bunny logos have been removed and the doors will close after a farewell party tonight. The club operated for more than six years.
The Tropfest international short-film festival continues celebrating its 20th anniversary through the weekend at the Cosmopolitan, featuring the world's largest collection of short-film screenings, plus live musical performances, film-themed birthday events, and a Tropfest "All Star" competition featuring some of the best Tropfest films from the past twenty years. Visit the Cosmo website for more details and to purchase tickets.
Rock 'n roll chef Kerry Simon is celebrating the anniversary of his Gourmet Burger joint at Harrah's today, with specialty cocktails served all-day long and a special guest appearance from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. by Red Rocker Sammy Hagar.
Today's the last day of the current Station Casinos Bonus Point promo, with 6 points/dollar for video poker player and 10 points/dollar on slots.
As the threat of a zombie apocalypse sweeps the nation, or at least parts of Twitter, Destination USA (formerly Planet Green) will be screening "Inside Area 51" and "Return to Area 51" tonight from 5-7 p.m. PST (repeating at 8-10 p.m.)
We just bagged a new exclusive deal for our couponsinvegas.com site, and you don't even need to be an LVA member to take advantage of this one! Now and until further notice, just download and print our latest offer from Oracle Mansion club and restaurant for a complimentary hookah and a free shot -- no strings!
Springs Preserve welcomes the return of "VENOM!" today, an interactive exhibit feasturing venomous reptiles from around the world, including Mojave sidewinders, Great Basin rattlesnakes, Speckled rattlesnakes, Desert night snakes, and Gila monsters. Shows take place daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., June 1 through July 15 and are included in the price of regular admission ($18.95, or $9.95 for locals).
It's the first Friday in June, which means National Donut Day, and participating Dunkin' Donuts outlets are offering a free donut with the purchase of any beverage, while Krispy Kreme's going one better and offering a freebie with no purchase necessary. Both offers are while supplies last. PRB Rock Bar in the Miracle Mile Shops is also doing a donut special, with 3 for $3.
Rí Rá Irish pub at Mandalay Place is extending its offer to locals with 40% off drinks from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. every Friday night in June. The pub also continues to offer locals that same discuont off lunch and dinner menu items every Friday. Guests must present a valid Nevada ID.
Las Vegas-based boxer Floyd Mayweather is due to report to jail this morning to begin his 87-day sentence for a domestic violence conviction. Mayweather was the highest-paid athlete in the world over the past 12-months, earning $85 million from his two fights against Victor Ortiz and Miguel Cotto.