Las Vegas Metro has just posted via Twitter that motorists should avoid the Strip between Harmon Ave. and Flamingo Rd. until 8 p.m., as it's been closed due to unspecified "police activity." (This item posted at 6 p.m.)
The temporary glitch with Aria's site has evidently been fixed, and all is up and working again now.
This time around, Bob Dancer's weekly column covers some of the popular games he'll be teaching in his upcoming free classes at South Point (and the schedule), and pointing out common errors players can make by not adjusting their plays to these specific games. If you can't make it to the free seminars, then here's a chance to up your skill level, and even if you are intending to attend a class, you can get a heads-up in advance so you'll learn even more from the live lesson. (Also, everyone should check it out just to admire Tanya's awesome coding. You go, html guru!)
Aria's website is currently down, we just discovered. We'll check back in awhile and let you know when it's up again. It seems to be the only MRI site experiencing a problem right now.
Apparently, there's something called the "Super Bowl" this Sunday, so shortly we'll be posting one big listing of parties and events, followed by lots of smaller ones as we hear about other stuff, up to the last minute. In the meantime, here's the other stuff that's going on in Las Vegas this weekend:
Commencing February 14, previously home to the Da Vinci - The Genius traveling exhibit, will host the "50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic," a showcase of the magazine's most celebrated and iconic photos from the past 125 years that also features the stories behind the photos, bios of the photographers, and documentary videos telling the stories behind the images. The limited-run engagement will be open daily from 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m., with tickets priced at $16 ($13 for locals, members of the military, and seniors $13; children 12 get free admission with a paying adult.)
Gossip columnist Robin Leach is reporting that comedian and actor Brad Garrett, who's headlining at MGM Grand, will be hosting a seven-day acting seminar, focusing on sit-com, at downtown's Art Square Theater. The classes, which begin March 26, will also cover cold readings, audition techniques, and character study, will be limited to 20 students. No word on the cost, as yet.
Passenger traffic at McCarran International Airport in December was down 0.8 percent on the same month last year, although there was a 5.9 percent gain from international passengers. The total for the year is up slightly on 2011, however, with the 41.7 million passengers who passed through the airport marking a 0.4 percent rise. The statistics are a result, in part, of airline strategies, with carriers like Southwest maintaining a policy of refusing to add planes to its fleet to keep fares up until profit targets are met, reports the R-J.
The Sin City Theatre at Planet Hollywood, the new home of Sin City Comedy, debuts a new free show at midnight tonight. Midnight Skye showcases rock/soul diva Skye Dee Mile, with a live band, dancers, and back-up singers recruited from other Strip productions, delivering an eclectic cabaret-style set of hits from the '60s to the '80s. Admission's free and includes drink specials for guests who attend in sleepwear attire.
We've bagged a 20%-off discount on tickets to Cirque du Soleil's classic aquatic show O, which performs at Bellagio. The deal expires Feb. 28, so book now via our O Deals page to lock in your discount.
Magician Criss Angel is offering a $5,000 reward for the return of his stolen Yorkshire terrier puppy, which was among the animals stolen early Monday morning from Prince & Princess Puppies and Boutique (on Rainbow near the 215). Three other dogs, including a pair of white French bulldog puppies and a gray Schnauzer, were also taken.
A second burglary, thought to have been committed by the same two men, who can be seen on this surveillance footage from the puppy store, occurred at Acrylic Tank Manufacturing, the setting for Animal Planet's "Tanked" reality show, in which four exotic birds were taken. (As an aside, we wrote a Question of the Day about "Tanked" awhile back, which revealed some disturbing information... You can find it in the QoD Achives for 6/29/12.)
The buffet at Aria, which was closed briefly for a remodel, has now reopened, featuring a new menu (including gluten-free pastas) and new action stations, including an Indian Tandoor oven -- a first for a Las Vegas buffet (or, in fact, any Vegas restaurant). Now comes word that there's a new pizza joint called 555 by Sage's Shawn McClain opening this spring (it's named for the perfect temperature at which to cook a pizza), while April 23 will see the debut of The Wedding Chapel at Aria, which promises to deliver "cutting-edge sophistication" and elegance.
If you have points on your players card account with Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, which closes for a remodel and re-branding Feb. 4, check out today's Question of the Day for what you should do to avoid losing them.
March 22 is World Water Day and ONE DROP, the non-profit started by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte with the aim of bringing access to safe water to everyone on the planet, is staging a one-off fundraising event in Las Vegas. On that night, all seven resident Cirque shows will go dark, while a unique one-off performance, featuring top Cirque talent, plus special guests, will take place in the O Theater at Bellagio. Tickets, starting at $150, are available for purchase now from the
After more than three decades in business, the Liberace Museum, located in a suitably flamboyant building at East Tropicana and Spencer, closed its doors for good on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. Or rather, closed its doors for good at that location. The museum, which was administered by the Liberace Foundation and had fallen into deep disrepair and financial crisis as the flow of visitors dried up, has since been on the lookout for a viable alternative home and is now poised to open in a new, smaller incarnation inside downtown's Neonopolis, reports John Katsilometes in the latest edition of LV Weekly.
While the performer famously denied his homosexuality publicly for as long as he could (see Question of the Day 06/08/2012 for the story of his scandalous "outing"), it's now no secret that Liberace was gay, so to move this tribute to his outrageous costumes, pianos, and other memorabilia to the same building that already houses Drink and Drag (the drag-queen bowling bar and lounge) and will soon be home to KRAVE Massive, billed as the largest gay nightclub in the world, seems entirely appropriate. The new attraction, which has been given the tentative working title of the "Liberace Experience," is hoping to debut in January, 2014.
Household-bleach brand Clorox is launching a Las Vegas-based publicity campaign in the form of a contest in search of your "messiest moments" in Sin City, from drunk and disheveled girls' nights out, to bachelor party mishaps, to dining disasters, to... (you fill in the blank).
Now through Feb. 17, visit www.BleachItAway.com/Vegas to submit your "Vegas messy moment" one-liners for the chance to have them featured in bright lights on the Fashion Show Mall billboard, and then "bleached away." If your moment is selected, you’ll receive a digital copy of it via email, plus the bragging rights of having your moment up in lights over the Strip. In addition, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, mom and actress Angela Kinsey will be hitting Las Vegas Boulevard in search of people willing to share their messy moments on-camera. You can also submit your everyday messy moments online at www.BleachItAway.com/Vegas for the chance to win prizes (a lifetime's supply of Clorox?)
Due to popular demand, Def Leppard has added two dates to its limited-duration "VIVA Hysteria" residency" in The Joint at the Hard Rock, which kicks off March 22. Tickets for the additional shows, on April 12 and 13, are on sale now.
Air Force One is scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas at 11:30 a.m. for the President's event at Del Sol High School, so expect traffic delays in the vicinity of Russell between McCarran International Airport and Eastern, Sunset between the airport and Eastern, and Eastern between Russell and Sunset. Air Force One is scheduled to depart McCarran at 2 p.m., when further traffic disruption can be expected.
Several lanes of the I-15, in both directions between Lake Mead Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue, will be closed from 9 p.m. tonight through 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, with the same pattern repeating again Tuesday to accommodate bridge work on the North Fifth Street Arterial Project.
New York's famed Metropolitan Opera is staging Rigoletto -- with a twist. Originally set in 16th century Mantua, the production has seen diverse settings in the century and a half since it debuted, including everything from Victorian England, to 1990s Hollywood, to the Planet of the Apes, but this latest incarnation is a first, with the action taking place in a fictitious 1960s Las Vegas casino, reports the LA Times. The production debuts this week in New York and will screen in movie theaters nationwide on Feb. 16.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the popular chain that previously had two long-running Las Vegas venues that both succumbed to the recession, once again has a presence in town, with the debut today of a new Ruth's Chris Steak House inside Harrah's, replacing The Range and bringing the restaurant's total national tally to 137.
Capitalizing on the success of its "Do AC" campaign, the Atlantic City Alliance, a marketing coalition jointly funded by casinos to inject some life back into the ailing East Coast gambling destination, is to invest $30 million into an expanded publicity and upgrade plan for 2013, under the banner, "Do Anything, Do Everything, Do AC." The effort aims to diversify the city's tourist appeal, with proposed events including a film festival, a wine-tasting festival, a sand-sculpting championship, professional volleyball, surfing contests, offshore powerboat racing, and a chalk-art competition.
The weekend Travel Section of USA Today contained an in-depth feature on the current resurgence in and predicted future proliferation of casino gambling in the U.S., via such tech innovations as mobile gaming devices. The article also names the "Top Seven Lucky Hotels," by which it actually is referring to casinos that are thinking outside the box and daring to surprise their guests with unexpected amenities and services. Two Las Vegas casinos made the cut, including Cosmopolitan for its free art installations, and Caesars Palace for the luxurious and cutting-edge array of treatments on offer at the resort's Qua Spa and Roman Baths.
You can now use your smartphone to get rules and detailed information about slots and table games at Caesars Palace, Harrah's, Paris, and Planet Hollywood. By touching your phone to "NFC tags," information about the games can be accessed, which includes tutorials on how to play. The system can also be used to buy show tickets, view daily specials, make restaurant reservations, and to check in on social media and access general information and tips group-wide among Caesars Ent's Vegas properties, via the network of 4,500 TecTiles.
Since shares were offered to the public last summer, stock in Manchester United, the English Premiership soccer team owned in part by legendary Greek investor George Soros, has consistently outperformed the IPO, making it now the first sports team in the world with a $3 billion+ valuation, reports Forbes. A recent increase in its stock price pushed up MAN U’s enterprise value (equity plus debt) to $3.3 billion, the highest of any sports team in the world and more than a billion ahead of the runner up, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, valued at $2.1 billion.
AAA has released its Five Diamond Awards for hotels and eight Las Vegas resorts are on the list, tied with New York City for the most. Those getting the designation are Aria, Aria Sky Suites, Bellagio, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand, Venetian, and Palazzo. Las Vegas's Five Diamond restaurants are Joel Robuchon from MGM, Guy Savoy from Caesars Palace, and Le Cirque and Picasso from Bellagio.
While most of the hype for Chinese New Year displays always goes to Bellagio's conservatory, Palazzo also has a good free display commemorating the Year of the Snake. Check out the nearly 40-foot-tall animated snake in the Waterfall & Atrium Gardens, located in the passageway connecting Palazzo and Venetian. Like Bellagio's, this display also changes throughout the year to coincide with major events and holidays.
Mike "the mouth" Matusow defeated Phil Hellmuth to win the NBC National Heads-Up Championship and $750,000. The tournament had returned to Caesars Palace after a one-year absence, and will be broadcast in March and April.
Richard Munchkin, author of our book Gambling Wizards, won the skills contest in the annual Blackjack Ball last night. It was Munchkin's third win in the event. Anthony Curtis made the final four for the third consecutive year, but was again a bridesmaid, finishing third. Amazingly, the final three were the same final three from the inaugural Blackjack Ball 17 years ago, with the first winner, Wally Simmons, finishing second. There was no Blackjack Hall of Fame vote this year, as induction is now conducted biyearly.
As promised (and ahead of time, for those of us on the West Coast), the much-anticipated sports-betting documentary, Life on the Line, is now available for purchase. All you need to do is click that link, pay $4.99 via your PayPal account (it's quick to set one up if you don't have already), and then download the secure player to instantly stream the movie. You can pause and rewind, and you get to stream it twice. (If you didn't already, you can catch three exclusive preview clips to give you a flavor of the first film to really delve for real into the usually secret world of Las Vegas' professional sports bettors, and the bookies who take their action.)
Demetrious Johnson is a -245 favorite over John Dodson in tonight's UFC Main Event. In other big matches, Glover Teixeira is a -315 favorite over Quinton Jackson and Anthony Pettis is -150 over Donald Cerrone.
If you're looking for some good live entertainment, David Perrico and his band play the Lounge at the Palms tonight. The show starts at 11 p.m. and admission is just $5.
The troubled project that includes a 500-foot observation wheel got some good news this week, as three contractors released liens put in place over upaid invoices. While remaining liens are also expected to be lifted, the resumption of construction is still likely to be delayed for several months.
Al Mancini, co-author of Eating Las Vegas, will be on the radio in Los Angeles today talking about the book and his upcoming Travel Channel show, "All Fork'd Up." The show airs on KLAA AM830 at 11 a.m.
The Station Casinos-owned Lake Mead Lounge and Casino on Boulder Hwy. has closed. Station says that a renovation is planned, though no details have been released.
Former Las Vegas city councilman and Clark County District Attorney Roy Woofter died today after a lengthy illness, the R-J reports. A former LVCVA board member, justice court judge, city attorney for both Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, and District Attorney, Woofter also helped found the county public defender's office and is described by those close to him as a "founding father of Las Vegas." He was 79.
The third and final preview clip from Life on the Line, the much-anticipated documentary that digs deep into the world of professional sports betting in Las Vegas, is now live on our home page. If you didn't catch the previous two trailers, you can catch them at Life on the Line: Exclusive Preview and stay tuned to "Today's News" or @LVA_Tweet over the weekend, because on Sunday the full movie premieres online for streaming/download and we'll be posting details of where you can purchase it.
Million Dollar Quartet, the Tony Award-winning musical about Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley and how these four legendary music pioneers came together for perhaps the greatest jam session of all time one night in December, 1956, opens Feb. 4 at Harrah's after a run at the Smith Center, and right now locals can get $25 off Front Orchestra seats. Insert/quote code 25LOC when booking online, by phone, or in person at the Box Office and make sure you have valid ID with you when you pick up the tickets.
LVH's legendary SuperBook is ahead of schedule and will have its Super Bowl Prop Bets package out sometime this afternoon. Follow @LVSuperBook on Twitter for updates.
Pulse of Vegas, the official blog of Caesars Entertainment, has won the PR Daily 2012 Digital and Social Media Award for "Best Blog," beating out the National Peace Corps Association, among others. All we can say is that if it wasn't going to be one of ours (can't believe Stiffs & Georges or Frugal Vegas weren't even nominated -- (as Beyonce would say, "They must not know 'bout us," but we digress), then we couldn't wish this accolade upon a more deserving blog -- and from a ginormous casino corporation*, of all things! Informative, irreverent, and always amusing, we highly recommend checking this one out on a regular basis.
*Note: We're pretty sure Gary Loveman doesn't know about this blog, so please don't tell him or it might spoil everything.
Rumors of a national chicken-wing shortage ahead of the Super Bowl, triggered perhaps by McDonald's recent announcement that the fast-food chain is to start selling wings, has been dismissed by The National Chicken Council. Prices are up, however, with 2012 seeing a 20-year high, and they're still rising.
Las Vegas Metro, in conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, has confiscated hundreds of articles of knock-off sports merchandise from kiosks downtown, as part of a nationwide crackdown ahead of the Super Bowl, reports the LV Sun. If you're buying NFL apparel or other logo-wear, make sure you purchase from a reputable retailer.
We're all gearing up for the "Big Game" next weekend, so it's kinda quiet -- but only by Vegas standards:
The wild and crazy country bar that's had a franchise inside New York-New York for as long as we care to remember is looking to hire the next generation of "Coyotes," with live auditions in the bar on Jan. 28-31, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. If you think you've got what it takes to strut your stuff on the saloon's famed bar, apply before Jan. 27 in person or online at angelmg.com/coyotegirls. There will be first- and second-round auditions held between now and sometime in February, and both rounds will be in front of a live audience.
It's been announced that the newly reelected President will be back in Las Vegas on Tuesday. It will be President Obama's first trip outside of Washington D.C. since he began his second term and the question on everyone lips is, "Which pizza will he order this time?"
Australian Bee Gees Show – A Tribute to the Bee Gees has renwed its contract with Excalibur through 2015, it's been announced.
Most sports books will put up their Super Bowl props today. Some won't have them ready in time, but all should be available by the weekend. Look for the stapled "prop sheets" and check changes in the lines on the big boards.
That's the subject of vp guru ob Dancer's latest column at LasVegasAdvisor.com, wherein you can learn some really useful tips on how to figure out the best game to play in any given situation, including how to calculate coin-in per hour. The knowledge that Dancer shares in these columns, and his other expert tutorial publications and software, is what separates the men from the boys in terms of being a video poker player with an edge, as opposed to a guaranteed loser. If you're a local, or visiting Vegas in the next few months, check out his free seminar series at South Point, which covers a different potentially beatable game each week.
Work is underway at the to-date unused theater at the Cosmopolitan, which has sat empty and incomplete since the property opened two years ago. 3,000-capacity theater is, according to a report in today's R-J, being designed to be reminiscent of a Czechoslovakian glass factory (here's a helpful link, in case you're having trouble picturing one of those) and is due to open by the end of the year to host concerts, conventions, boxing matches and will be called ... The Chelsea. (Is anyone else confused? Doesn't the Cosmopolitan already have a live-music and boxing-match venue called The Chelsea? It does, and at 5,300 capacity it's bigger than the new Chelsea. The existing Chelsea Ballroom is apparently to be renamed, just to ensure that everyone else is as confused as we are.)
The second of the three trailers for upcoming sports-betting documentary Life on the Line has just been posted on our home page, plus there's a link to the first trailer too, if you didn't catch it earlier in the week. One more preview will be posted exclusively on our website before the movie is released for purchase as a download/streaming video on Jan. 27, 2013. So for now, these titillating tidbits are all you can see, and you can only see them right here! If you missed the first trailer, click to access the Life on the Line archive, where Trailer #2 will reside when #3 goes live tomorrow.
The cast of real-life Las Vegas bettors, bookies, talkshow hosts reads like a "Who's Who" of the sports-betting world, and when renowned handicapper, Gaming Today columnist, and "Vegas Wiseguy Report" blogger Ed Sevransky, a.k.a. Teddy Covers (who's among those featured) saw the final cut, he observed: "There are no great sports betting movies – none. Never before has there been a movie that more authentically nails the experience of being a professional bettor." So, check it out, whether you take your sports seriously or are just gearing up for the Annual Big Game Party day, and don't miss your chance to own Life on the Line and watch and learn from the whole film. Available as of this Sunday, Jan. 27, we'll be posting a link to where you can download or stream your movie from as soon as it's released, so watch this space!
The second of the three trailers for upcoming sports-betting documentary Life on the Line has just been posted on our home page, plus there's a link to the first trailer too, if you didn't catch it earlier in the week. One more preview will be posted exclusively on our website before the movie is released for purchase as a download/streaming video on Jan. 27, 2013. So for now, these titillating tidbits are all you can see, and you can only see them right here!
The cast of real-life Las Vegas bettors, bookies, talkshow hosts reads like a "Who's Who" of the sports-betting world, and when renowned handicapper, Gaming Today columnist, and Vegas Wiseguy Report blogger Ted Sevransky, a.k.a. Teddy Covers (who's among those featured) saw the final cut, he observed: "There are no great sports betting movies – none. Never before has there been a movie that more authentically nails the experience of being a professional bettor." So, check it out, whether you take your sports seriously or are just gearing up for the Annual Big Game Party day, and don't miss your chance to own Life on the Line and watch and learn from the whole film. Available as of this Sunday, Jan. 27, we'll be posting a link to where you can download or stream your movie from as soon as it's released, so watch this space!
Silly us! We totally forgot to include the infamous "X Train" hi-speed rail link between Las Vegas and Southern California that they've been threatening to build for longer than we can remember. That's now an option, so please return and cast your vote if that would've been your choice. If you think of something else that we didn't include in our voting options, please email us via [email protected]. Thanks!
On Saturday, Feb. 9, Lagasse's Stadium at Palazzo will again host EA SPORTS Challenge Series Live Event Finals, in association with Virgin Gaming, EA Sports, and Playstation 3. One of the largest video game competitions in the world, the finals bring together the top Madden 13, NHL 13, and FIFA 13 gamers in the world to battle it out for their share of the $1 million prize pool. Stars of the NFL and NHL are also expected to attend.
Tickets went on sale today for most of the events at this year's Vegas Uncork'd food fest extraordinaire, which takes place May 9 through 12 at various venues around town and features seminars, cooking demos, food and wine tastings, featuring representatives from many of the "Essential 50" restaurants (including some "Top Tens") from Eating Las Vegas 2013. Popular sessions can sell out fast, so bag your tickets early to avoid being shut out.
Check-in on Facebook at R Steak & Seafood for if you go there for Happy Hour (4-7 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. daily), then take your receipt to the Box Office to receive 2-for-1 tix to the Comedy Club.
Today's R-J reports that billionaire Phil Ruffin, who purchased Treasure Island from MGM Resorts four years ago, is now looking to invest in a 100,000-square-foot convention center for TI, following the failure of his second bid to buy the Mirage last year.
The inaugural "Life is Beautiful" music, art, and food festival, which will take place downtown this fall, is presenting a series of free local concerts in various Arts District venues, starting Wednesday, Feb. 6 at the Artifice, showcasing local talent for the opportunity to take the stage during the main festival this fall. The first event's featured artists include genres spanning classic rock to pop to folk, and aspiring bands are encouraged to sign up on the registration page for a chance to take part in a future showcase.
All the city's Brit. and Irish pubs that we've contacted are gearing up for the Six Nations rugby tournament, which kicks off Saturday, Feb. 2 with Wales vs. Ireland (5:30 a.m. PST - ouch!), followed by England vs. Scotland at 8 a.m. The tournament runs through Saturday, March 16. Ri Ra at Mandalay Place, Crown and Anchor (East and West), and McMullan's Irish pub will all definitely be screening the games (with a $20 cover for pay-per-view matches, otherwise free), and McMullan's is also offering a complimentary bus service to Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 9th and Sunday, Feb. 10 to ferry patrons to the annual International Rugby Sevens tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium, which kicks off Feb. 8. Las Vegas is the fifth of nine stops on the tour and the only one to take place on North American turf, so expect lots more festivities to be announced nearer the time.
For a limited time Las Vegas residents can take advantage of a twofer offer on tix to see Blue Man Group at its new home at the Monte Carlo. Mention code LOCALS at the box office or when you call. Offer expires March 10 and some blackout dates apply.
ABC's new foodie series, "The Taste," premieres on ABC tonight at 8 p.m. PST. Starring Anthony Bourdain, Ludo Lefebvre, Nigella Lawson, and Brian Malarkey, tonight's show also features local talent Chef Adam "Awesome" Kaswiner, (a.k.a. Chef Kas), who teaches/consults/caters/delivers custom cuisine to discerning Las Vegas palettes. Good luck on the show!
Following in the pioneering steps of Detroit Coney Island, which opened its first satellite restaurant downtown at the D last last year, Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse will open its first out-of-state location inside the D Las on Friday, Feb. 1. A popular family-style Italian eatery with a 20+-year history and nine restaurants in Motor City, Andiamo prides itself on using top ingredients, including Pat LaFrieda and Stockyard Premium beef, all-natural Strauss lamb and veal, and premium free-range hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken.
It's been officially announced that the Maloofs have agreed to sell the Sacramento Kings to a group of Seattle investors, pending approval by the NBA Board of Governors. The buyers, led by investor Chris Hansen, will purchase the Maloof family's 65 percent stake in a deal costing just over $340 million, and is hoping to buy out other minority investors in the franchise, it's been announced. If the deal is approved, the team will return to Seattle and restore the SuperSonics name.
Broadway hit Shrek the Musical will come to the The Smith Center for the Performing Arts for a limited run from March 19 to 24. Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 -- seat prices have yet to be announced.
Voting ends at midnight for the current Reader Poll, which is all about which LVA Member Rewards offer you're most looking forward to using in 2013. It's a great way for us to get feedback about what you like, so make your voices heard! If you haven't seen this year's list of offers yet, the options in the poll are just the tip of iceberg, so to see the complete round-up of deals and discounts in the 2013 Member Rewards Book.
We asked QoD readers to write in with any other tips on which casinos offer dining perks to gamblers (other than poker players) at tables and machines. While no one came up with any cunning secrets that we'd missed, a couple of people did share some nostalgic recollections of "Old Vegas" and some interesting, if not exactly gourmet, service that used to be offered. Check out the "Updates" to Sunday's answer in the QoD archives.
Travis Cloer, who currently plays Franki Valli in the hit musical Jersey Boys, will bring his solo show Setting the Standard to The Smith Center for one night only on Monday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. Ticket are priced at $25 and $35.
The Las Vegas sports-betting scene is all-a-twitter in anticipation of the Jan. 27 release of On the Line, a new documentary that takes viewers deep inside the usually secret world of top professional sports bettors and bookies. The film, which features many of the biggest names in the game, on both sides of the fence, will be available to purchase as a download or in streaming format as of Jan. 27; from now until then, you can catch a series of trailers that will debut exclusively at LasVegasAdvisor.com in the coming days in the Spotlight On... feature on our home page. It promises to be a fascinating film, whether or not you're a sports fan, casual bettor, aspiring professional, or none of the above, but just enjoy a quality documentary, so check it out!
Rao's, the legendary New-York Italian eatery with an outpost at Caesars, continues to share some secret family recipes in it's ongoing Rao's Family Traditions series on YouTube. The latest offering teaches how to make the house Penne Vodka, with previous episodes titled "Seafood Salad" and "On the Grill."
The owner of District pedestrianized shopping precinct at Green Valley Ranch, which sold for just $179 million in 2011 after lenders foreclosed, has applied for a re-zoning of the outdoor mall that would permit vehicular traffic and parking on the main street. The Planning Commission has voted to approve the request, which will now go before City Council early February.
There are a couple of Martin Luther King Day gambling specials running in the casinos today. Get 5X points on slots and 2X on video poker at South Point and 11X points on slots and 7X on video poker at Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, and Sam's Town.
The San Francisco 49ers opened as a -4 favorite over the Baltimore Ravens in the Superbowl. The total is 48.
The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will broadcast CNN’s coverage of the second inauguration of President Barack Obama live on the center’s oversized exterior video screen his morning. The broadcast begins at 8 a.m. from the screen towers above the Miracle Mile Shops’ north entrance.
The New England Patriots are -8 favorites over the Baltimore Revens in today's AFC Championship game. The total is 48.5.
Nolan Dalla, Media Director for the World Series of Poker, just blogged about his return visit to poker pro Freddy Deeb's Lebanese restaurant, Fattoush Mediterranean Cuisine (located in the Clearmont section of L.A.), which opened about a year ago. The lengthy review, from someone who evidently knows his fattoush from his falafel, also contains an interesting bio of the famous and charismatic player.
A spot check of the casinos shows busy sports books and long lines at the betting windows. Bars and restaurants are crowded with viewers.
The San Francisco 49ers are -4 favorites over the Atlanta Falcons in today's NFC Championship game. The total is 48.
With the deadline past, 11 companies have filed to compete for three licenses in Massachusetts. In the west, Mirage Resorts International, Penn National Gaming, Hard Rock International, and Mohegan Sun are the candidates. In the greater Boston area, it's Wynn Resorts, Suffolk Downs, and Warner Gaming. A slots-only casino is being sought by Plainridge Racecourse and the owners of the Raynham dog track, while Rush St. Gaming and Cordish Co. are the other two companies that have filed, but haven't specified where they want to operate.
There's more trouble for the Skyvue project at the south end of the Strip, with another contractor filing a lawsuit for unpaid invoices. Eight companies have now filed liens against the developer and work has been halted on the project that includes a 500-foot observation wheel, though a loan that will clear up the problems is said to be pending.
South Point is running a big NFL Conference Finals party today in the showroom, with all-you-can drink beer for $15, $4 shots, and dollar dogs. Doors open at 11 a.m.
In tonight's UFC Main Event, Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping are pick 'em. In other matches, Daniel Sarafian is -165 over CB Dollaway and Gabriel Gonzaga is -140 over Ben Rothwell.
The Rational Group, owners of the online poker site PokerStars, appears to be going forward with the purchase of the Atlantic Club in Atlantic City. Papers have been filed for the sale that's been reported in the range of $50 million.
The giant billboard that wraps around the D has been approved as a permanent fixture of the casino. These types of "building wraps" require special permission to be used downtown and it's expected that this decision will lead to others being incorporated into the designs of downtown resorts. New LED signs are also planned for the rooftop of the D.
Pennsylvania has surpassed Atlantic City to become the nation's No. 2 gaming-revenue market. Pennsylvania's 11 casinos took in $3.16 billion in 2012, compared to $3.05 billion in A.C. A 12th PA casino is expected to open this year and a 13th is planned for Philadelphia. Las Vegas is easily the largest U.S. gaming market, with revenues exceeding $6 billion.
Guitarist and vocalist Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead will perform an acoustic solo set at The Pearl at Palms Friday, March 1, 2013 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $42, plus additional service fees, and go on sale Friday, Jan. 25 at noon.
KRAVE LGBT club opens tonight at its new (temporary) home in Crown nightclub at the Rio, pending its move to a permanent abode inside downtown's Neonopolis later this spring. Text KRAVE to 313131 for free drinks.
According to Bloomberg, Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson is looking to offload his Bethlehem Casino in Pennsylvania for as much as $1 billion, although Las Vegas Sands isn't confirming any rumors. Potential buyers could include Penn National and Pinnacle, but both companies have recently purchased other casinos, with the former paying $610 million for a St. Louis casino back in May, and the latter having just acquired Ameristar Casinos Inc. for $900 million. So if you have a spare billion you don't know what to do with and think you could pass a gaming control background check, this could be your big chance to own your own casino. Sands Bethlehem opened in 2009 and includes a 300-room hotel, a shopping mall, and an entertainment facility.
The buffet at the Golden Nugget is closed for a quick remodel -- it's due to reopen Jan. 24.
There are still plenty of gruesome entertainment opportunities around town, including Eli Roth's Goretorium (wonder how long that will last...) and Evil Dead: The Musical, but for bloodfest fans, this weekend is the last chance to catch Sweeney Todd at the Onyx Theater, with 8 p.m. performances tonight and Saturday, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.
Sugar & Spice Events is hosting a "Pop-Up Mini-Foodie Market" from 3-7 p.m. today at 2550 Anthem Village Drive, Henderson, featuring local artisan foods, including hot links from Kings Sausages, fresh jerky from JoJos Jerky, hancrafted caramel apples from Naked City Sweets, Japanese street foods, Mediterranean snacks, hot apple cider, gourmet Belgian hot cocoa, and more treats, so go support our local producers. Sounds yummy and just the thing for this chilly weather.
The skating rink is still in operation for a few more days, but The Cosmopolitan is already gearing up for pool season, with an open recruiting session next Wednesday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Chelsea Ballroom (Level 4, West End Tower). Positions are open at the Boulevard and Marquee pools for beverage servers, mixologists, greeters, food servers, and snow shovelers (okay, we made one of those up). All applicants are encouraged to bring a current resume and to "dress to express their style" (sheepskin bikini it is, then). You can also apply online at cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/careers. They'll be recruiting managers and lifeguards at a later date.
For those who haven't yet seen it (how come we're two days behind the LA Times? We really need to get out, or maybe stay in, more), and regardless of whether or not you care about football, you owe it to yourself to watch this video of bad NFL lip reading. Trust us.
Elton John has announced more dates for his Million Dollar Piano show, which will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 20. He'll perform six dates that month, with a a further 14 shows in May. Tickets, which start at $55 (plus tax and fees), go on sale Friday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. PST.
According to online celebrity-gossip site TMZ, no less than three Las Vegas hotels, at least one of which is not a Caesars Entertainment property, are now in a bidding war to secure Britney Spears as a headliner, although contrary to some reports, no deal has yet been signed.
It's that time of year again when Las Vegas becomes awash with porn stars (as opposed to the usual light sprinkling), and while the expo and awards show may be hosted by the Hard Rock, the whole city's overrun with adult performers, with parties at every strip club, nightclub, and bar (well, maybe not ALL of them, but A LOT). If porn isn't your thing, don't worry, we've got Disney on Ice, too.
The outdoor bar/live-entertainment/souvenir-kiosk space at Harrah's has closed for a facelift. It's due to reopen in its new incarnation March 1. You can see some pix, and the current state of the ongoing rebirth of the IP as The Quad (check out the new new porte-cochère!), at Caesars Ent's awesome Pulse of Vegas blog.
Executive Chef Mike Minor of Border Grill at Mandalay Bay, which has made the "Essential 50" in all three editions of Eating Las Vegas, has been named as one of the country’s top culinary talents in the inaugural edition of Best Chefs America, a peer-review guide compiled after extensive interviews with more than 5,000 U.S. chefs.
Blaming the strength of the Canadian dollar and increasing production costs, Cirque du Soleil announced today that it is to lay off 400 workers, primarily at its Montreal-based headquarters, in spite of record ticket sales and close to $1 billion in revenue in 2012.
Considered the "happiest 5k run on the planet," the Color Run returns to Las Vegas this Feb. 16, in partnership with Three Square Food Bank. Click the link for more info and to register.
Village Pubs have a new happy hour/reverse
We just were alerted by a reader, responding to today's Question of the Day, that the Cosmopolitan has introduced a resort fee. As of Jan. 1, 2013, a $25/night resort fee was introduced, which covers Internet, gym and tennis court access, and local/long distance domestic/800 calls. Previously, there was no fee, but in-room Internet was $15 for 24 hours, gym access was $20, and guests paid for all calls.
"American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, who's been performing an extended residency in the Indigo Lounge at Bally's, is moving next door to the larger venue of Napoleon's inside Paris, as of Jan. 21. is kicking off the New Year by moving his popular Las Vegas show to Napoleon’s at Paris Las Vegas beginning Monday, Jan. 21, where he's set to perform through 2013. The singer will also be touring other Caesars properties across the country in-between stints on the Strip. Tickets start at $39.99.
Eagle Point ski and snowboard resort in Southern Utah is offering three FREE days of skiing for Nevada residents on Jan. 16, Feb. 13, and March 13. Visit the eaglepointresort.com website for more information.
So cold that, for the second day running, the water in the fountain at Caesars Palace is frozen, reports Norm!, gossip columnist for the R-J, who observes that the only previous times he's seen ice on the Strip it was in a cocktail glass. If this cold snap doesn't end soon, will the Fountains of Bellagio freeze, too? Now, that would be a spectacle...
Following last year's announcement (see "Today's News" 11/19/12), Kokomo's steak and seafood restaurant at the Mirage is now officially closed. It is due to reopen later this summer as Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak, a concept from the renowned New York chef that will focus on meats prepared entirely over an open flame – from wood-burning ovens to charcoal grills.
A big bravo to the newly reinvented downtown casino, which scooped a slew of awards in the 2013 Trippies, including Readers' Choice in the "Person of the Year" category for co-owner Derek Stevens, who has indeed been a major force in the revitalization of downtown via his transformations of both the D and the Golden Gate, plus both Reader and Staff picks for "Best Video Poker" and "Most Improved" for the reinvention of the former Fitz. The Vegas Tripping blog editors also honored the D with the "Best Dice" award for its "10x odds and lots of low minimum action in a brand new casino with good stickmen," and in the all-important category of "Best Carpet."
We at Las Vegas Advisor love Derek and the D, too, and you can find no less than five great offers for this new downtown hotspot in the 2013 LVA Member Rewards Book, including two of this year's best gambling deals.
January's "Mob Month" series continues tonight at Clark County Library, with a session titled "The IRS vs. the Chicago Outfit." Each weekly session examines a different aspect of popular culture and the history of organized crime, with contributions from former mobsters, law enforcement officials, educators, authors, journalists, and eye witnesses.
Tonight's event features notorious ex-mobsters Frank Cullotta (hitman and confidant of Tony "the Ant" Spilotro) and Tony Montana, with ex-cop turned mob-author Dennis Griffin (Cullotta, Surviving The Mob, The Battle For Las Vegas, Policing Las Vegas), who will sit down with current Las Vegas IRS Criminal Investigations agent Paul Camacho and retired Chicago IRS agent Tom Moriarty to discuss what really happened, how Hollywood got it wrong, and what’s going on in the Windy City today. Dennis and Cullotta will also be available to sign copies of books and posters.
All Mob Month events, which are free and open to the public, are intended for mature audiences. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and 450 people showed up to the previous event, so get there early to avoid disappointment tonight (entry wristbands will be issued at 6 p.m. from the theater box office at the library.)
This Thursday, Jan. 17, Hyde Bellagio launches a monthly free event called "Vino Thursdays," featuring a series of complimentary wine tastings from 7 to 9 p.m. at the indoor/outdoor lounge that offers the best view of the property's famous dancing fountains. Gourmet small plates from Circo will also be available to order until 9 p.m., when the event will segue into "Live Music Thursdays," with performances by local musical talent. The launch party this week will feature special guest partner Match.com and 300 of Vegas’ sexiest singles, plus a performance by "American Idol" contestant and acoustic guitarist Mahi Crabbe. The next event will take place on Valentine's Day.
Pin Up, starring 2011 Playmate of the Year Claire Sinclair, will open at the Stratosphere Feb. 25, reports the Vegas Deluxe blog. Inspired by the Bettie Page-era calendar aesthetic, the show will feature classic song and dance numbers from the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, with a live horn section, and even some magic and illusion. Tickets, which are now on sale at the property's box office, start at $49.99, and the show will perform at 10:30 p.m. weeknights (dark Tuesdays and Wednesdays) in the recently refurbished Stratosphere Showroom.
Tuesday is the final day to drop off your all-natural Christmas trees for recycling (sorry, no flocked trees allowed). There are 21 drop-off locations around the valley, with most open 24/7. Click the link to find your nearest one, or for more information call 702/822-7700. The trees are chipped into mulch, an organic material used in landscaping projects, giving them a useful purpose as opposed to going to landfill.
It's the final Monday Date Skate night of the season from the BLVD Social Club at Cosmo, where the real-ice rink will be in operation through Jan. 20 only. Tonight's social features a screening of Blades of Glory on the hotel marquee at 7 p.m., with hot cider and roast S'mores to take away the winter chill. It's $15 admission ($10 for locals), with a $5 skate-rental charge. Save time at check-in and fill out the Liability Waiver before you get there.
The Wynn Classic Poker Tournament is set to return Feb. 28 through March 21. Held in the Wynn poker room, the 22-day series commences with a $550 buy-in opening event, which guarantees a $250,000 prize pool, and culminates with the Main Event on March 17, with a prize pool that's expected to exceed $1,000,000. Buy-ins range from $300 to $5,180 and play begins daily at noon.
After a one-year hiatus in 2012, it's been announced that the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, an invitational with a $20,000 buy-in, will return to Caesars Palace this spring. Televised on the both NBC and the NBC Sports Network, the event features 64 top players and celebrities competing heads-up in a single-elimination format, modeled after college basketball tournaments. The reigning champ is eight-time WSOP bracelet-winner Erik Seidel, while Annie Duke, author of Huntington Press' Decide to Play Great Poker became the only female champion to date when she defeated Seidel for the 2010 title. Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, co-autor of The Raiser's Edge and a contributor to best-seller Kill Everyone, made it to the semi-finals in 2009 but was eliminated by Vanessa Rousso, who finished runner up to Huck Seed.
This year's event will begin airing on NBC and NBC Sports Network on March 14, with the championship match televised on NBC on April 20.
A belated Gung Hay Fat Choy! January 12 marked the commencement of the Chinese Year of the Snake, and the annual display in Bellagio's Conservatory and Botanical Garden is looking particularly dramatic this year. You can check out a photo gallery, including images of the spectacular giant gilded cobra, at VegasChatter or view the official Bellagio webcam. The exhibit,which runs through March 3, is full of traditional good luck elements, including a giant money tree, while the floating Chinese Junk hosts daily musical performances from 5 to 6 p.m. And, best of all, it's open 24/7 and entirely FREE!
Donn Arden’s Jubilee!, the longest-running show on the Strip, which will celebrate its 32nd anniversary this year, is holding a casting call for showgirls, singers, and both female and male dancers on Monday, Jan. 21, in the Jubilee! Theater at Bally's. All female performers must be 5'8" or taller and males must be at least 6", and all must be 18+. (Historically, all showgirls were required to be "natural," i.e., no breast implants, but that rule seems to have been relaxed in recent years.) The audition schedule is as follows:
Male dancers: 10:30 a.m.
Female dancers and showgirls: noon
Male and female singers: 2 p.m.
Principal dancers: 3 p.m.
Enjoy free coffee and a doughnut when you play on slots at the Palms Monday to Friday, 8-11 a.m.
The latest proposal for a sports stadium/events arena is on the table. Majestic Realty, owner of the Silverton, has proposed an $800-$900 million project called UNLV Now, that would include a 60,000-seat stadium, and up to 3,000 student housing units and 400,000 square feet of retail space. The stadium would feature the world's longest indoor video screen and six "super suites" that would accommodate up to 300 guests and sell for more than $1 million per year each. The project must be approved by the university before other details, including funding, are explored.
The New England Patriots are -9.5 favorites over the Houston Texans in today's AFC Divisional Playoff game. The total is 50.5.
Earn 500 club points at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and get a comp to the Wicked Spoon Buffet. Earn 800 total and get two buffets. Since you earn 1 point for $7.50 in action at video poker, it will take $3,750 coin-in for one buffet and $6,000 for two. The offer is available once per day through Jan. 31.
The Atlanta Falcons are -3 favorites over the Seattle Seahawks in today's NFC Divisional Playoff game. The total is 46.5.
MLife players club has posted a video on YouTube of the weekly Sunday Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, so check it out if you're not sure what this long-running event is all about, and don't forget there's an exclusive twofer in the 2013 Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book, which, by itself, saves more than the cost an our annual online subscription.
The current very low temperatures are expected into early next week, with lows dropping into the 20s and upper teens through Sunday night and into Monday morning. Take precautions to protect pets, plants, and pipes.
Due to the distinctly un-outdoor-friendly weather tonight, the regular Saturday Night Truck Stop food truck event at Tommy Rocker's has been canceled. Should be back next week, weather permitting. The monthly Vegas StrEATS event downtown is taking place as normal, however.
The San Francisco 49ers are -3 favorites over the Green Bay Packers in today's NFC Divisional Playoff game. The total is 45.
On Saturday, Feb. 16, Venetian/Palazzo will host the Las Vegas Chocolate and Pastry Show, featuring the top patissiers and chocolatiers from around the Las Vegas Valley. The $45/person charge includes all the chocolates, wines, foods, and booze served, and the event runs from 8 p.m. to midnight. Visit sincitychocolatefestival.com for more information and to purchase tix. |
The Denver Broncos are -9 favorites over the Baltimore Ravens in today's AFC Divisional Playoff game. The total is 44.5.
Miss South Carolina, Ali Rogers, has been installed by Wynn Las Vegas as the 8-1 favorite to win the Miss America Pageant, currently underway at Planet Hollywood. Miss Oklahoma is 10-1 and Miss Wyoming is 12-1. The competition concludes tonight.
The Palms has been slapped with a $1 million fine by by the Gaming Control Board for failure to prevent illegal activities on the premesis, including drug sales and prostitution. The charges are a result of an undercover sting operation, for which the Palms will also have to bear the $78,000 cost. The penalty must be approved by the Gaming Commission. The illegal activities in the report allegedly took place in the Palms' nightclubs -- Moon, Rain, and ghostbar.
While the casino entrepreneur has generally seemed more interested in the Asian than the domestic market lately, Steve Wynn has announced that his plans for a proposed resort-casino in Massachusetts includea $1 billion hotel that he promises will be "the fanciest hotel in the Boston area" if he emerges the victor in the bidding war with Suffolk Downs and partner Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment Corp. for the only casino license available for Greater Boston.
Following news last week that retail developer Territory Inc. had sold all six of its shopping centers in Las Vegas, including Centennial Center in the northwest Las Vegas and Eastern Beltway Center, to an Illinois real estate investment trust, comes word that The Shoppes at Harmon Square, anchored by the Kiss Monster Mini Golf attraction, and former home to Hamburger Mary's, has been sold for $11.5 million to a local Las Vegas developer. The property is zoned H-1 for high-rise and hotel development.
We've heard it before -- initially back in 2008, when she was apparently in talks with her buddy George Maloof at the Palms, as she was then rumored to be once more in 2011, and then again in April of last year, when Robin Leach broke the story that she was allegedly in talks with the Hard Rock -- but now gossip-site extraordinaire "TMZ" says that Britney Spears is in "serious talks" to move to Las Vegas and headline a "Celine-type" at a Caesars Ent. property that has "been wooing her for awhile." We're not holding our breath, but we'll keep you posted. In the meantime, just check the "Today's News" archives for details of the previous abortive attempts to bring Ms Spears to Sin City for more than a weekend.
Caesars Entertainment's Las Vegas properties have introduced a linked "Mega Beat Progressive Poker Jackpot" to the Las Vegas poker market. As of Thursday, Jan. 10, the poker rooms at Harrah’s, The Quad, Flamingo, Bally’s, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, and the Rio will launch the bad-beat jackpot, with a starting level of $200,000 and potential to climb to more than $1,000,000. The multi-casino promo will award not only the losing and winning hand, but also all players actively playing poker at any of the seven properties. For specific rules and how the promo's payout structure works, visit any of the participating poker rooms.
A cold front that swept into the valley yesterday is expected to bring the lowest temperatures in 12 months now through the weekend, keeping daily highs at about 40 degrees, with lows between 15 to 29 degrees. The cold snap should begin abating by Monday, rising to the mid-50s by the middle of next week. Let's hope so.
Spearmint Rhino is hosting another FREE movie night on Tuesday, Jan. 15. Catch Gangster Squad at Rave Motion Pictures at Town Square, with free admission, popcorn, and sodas, plus $1 hot dog. There are complimentary cocktails from 8 p.m. too, and it's first come, first served for the event, so get there early to avoid getting shut out.
While the news was less than good for November's Nevada gaming numbers (see "Today's News" 1/10/13), a boom in convention business, up more than 16 percent for the month, helped push up visitor volume by 2.5 percent on the previous year, keeping Las Vegas on track for a record year in visitation.
We forgot to mention in item posted here earlier today, regarding CityCenter's intriguing "Indoor Hike," that if the more conventional "outdoor" hike is something you enjoy -- and that lovely spring weather is just around the corner -- then check out our array of expert guides to hiking Las Vegas' environs, and the rest of the state, which are all available at ShopLVA.com, our online store.
Check out one of the final posts of the season in the "Articles" section at LVASports.com.
It's just been announced that the traveling Da Vinci: The Genius exhibit, which has been on display at Venetian, will end its extended run there Jan. 27. It's a really interesting and thought-provoking family-friendly attraction, and we have a free-for-all discount at couponsinvegas.com (where you'll also find discounts on other attractions, food, drink, shows, gambling, and more, plus exclusive deals for LVA members, so check out the show, and take advantage of the money saving offer, while you still can.
A novel concept from the lead instructor at the Spa & Salon at Aria, fitness guru Steve "Rocket" Rosen has introduced the "Indoor Hike" concept. After some light stretching, guests, who carry their yoga mats over the shoulder, set our on a tour of CityCenter that includes stops at various points of interest along the way, where insights into the scenery, fine-art collection, and architecture are complemented by different exercise routines. For example, at Jenny Holzer’s "Vegas," participants will perform lunges, squats, and step-ups on the nearby benches, before venturing outside to learn about the "metaresorts" striking and diverse architecture.
The latest eatery, from acclaimed chef Sheridan Su, who's progressed from a food truck, to a venue within a beauty salon, and now to a new permanent home within the Eureka casino on E. Sahara, still hopes to go ahead with its recently postponed soft opening tonight, we were just advised, although a call to the casino advised calling at around 5 p.m., just to double-check. Fat Choy occupies the space formerly occupied by Teddy's Bar & Grill, and will feature an extensive and eclectic menu, comprising an expanded array of the the Chinese street-food favorites popularized by Su's Great Bao food truck, plus a mix of original faves from Teddy's, and a full breakfast menu, with most dishes priced under $9.
Fresh 52 Farmers Market, which expanded its valley-wide presence last year, will reopen after the winter hiatus starting tomorrow, with the weekly event at Town Square from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, you can catch the market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tivoli Village on the west side, and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at 9480 S. Eastern. Eat healthy in the New Year and support your local growers and artisans!
After two consecutive months of positive news for the Nevada gaming industry, comes the latest official figures from the state Gaming Control Board, which reveal that statewide, Nevada revenue was down 11 percent year-on-year last November, skewed down particularly by a 13 percent decline in the "win" on the Strip. Downtown casinos winnings were also steeply down, at 17 percent. The only area to experience a positive swing was Lake Tahoe, where the casino win was up almost 27 percent.
Frank Fahrenkopf, the inaugural and current president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, the official advocating group for the casino industry in Washington, D.C., has announced his decision to retire this summer for the position he's held since the AGA was first launched, back in 1995.
Onda, the excellent wine bar and restaurant at Mirage, will commence daily operation, from 5 to 10 p.m., as of January 14. Previous hours were Thurs. to Mon. only.
Did you check out the new LVA Reader Poll, which went live yesterday? We're curious to know which of the member offers for 2013 you're most excited to use, and the more feedback we get, the more ammo we have to return to vendors to obtain more and better deals, so get voting!
"Travel + Leisure" mazazine has released its 2013 "Best Hotels in the World" List, and an impressive (if predictable) list of eight Las Vegas Strip hotels made the cut, including Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Encore, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Palazzo, Venetian, and Wynn. Cosmo, which was recently the gogobot.com online travel community's outright pick for "Best Hotel in the World" (see "Today's News" 7/30/12), was also the highest-rated of the Las Vegas hotels in the "T&L" "Best 500."
Chef Geno Bernardo, executive chef of NOVE Italiano at the Palms, has announced that he will be moving to New York to pursue new ventures at the end of this month. There's no word as yet as to whether this will affect operations at the popular Italian eatery (we hope not), nor what will happen to the farm in Pahrump pioneered by the chef, who's a big supporter of local and organic produce (again, we hope it will continue in his absence.)
The $2.5 billion Macau casino planned by MRI's China subsidiary today received government approval, which sent its shares to an 18-month high. Various building permits are still required before construction can commence, but if all goes to plan, the casino is expected to debut on the Cotai Strip in 2016.
MGM Resorts International is to offer free Wi-Fi at all of its Las Vegas resorts, it was announced today, with no password requirement to access the local area network via smart phones, laptops, or tablets. The Cisco Systems network, which has already been installed at Bellagio, MGM Grand, MBay, and the Mirage, will be the most powerful LAN provided by any hospitality company in the nation, and the new Wi-Fi service will be rolled out later this year at Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Luxor, and Excalibur.
January is "Mob Month" at Clark County Library (only in Vegas) with a presentation every Tuesday in the month at 7 p.m., examining the popular culture and history of organized crime, with presentations featuring former mobsters, law enforcement officials, educators, authors, journalists, and eye witnesses. The next session, Jan. 15, is titled "The IRS vs. the Chicago Outfit" and ex-mobsters Frank Cullotta and Tony Montana, along with Mob author Dennis Griffin (Cullotta, Surviving The Mob, The Battle For Las Vegas, and Policing Las Vegas) will sit down with current Las Vegas IRS Criminal Investigations agent Paul Camacho and retired Chicago IRS agent Tom Moriarty to discuss what really happened, how Hollywood got it wrong, and what’s going on in the Windy City today.
All Mob Month events are intended for mature audiences. Book sales/signings will be available with authors at the events, which are free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served and the last session had an overflow crowd of 450 people, with more expected for the Cullotta event, so get there early! Entry wristbands will be issued at 6 p.m. from the theater box office on the night of the program only. For more information, please call 702/507-3458.
Donnie and Marie Osmond have signed an extension that ensures they will perform at the Flamingo though 2013. The duo originally signed for a six-week engagment in 2008.
The Gold Rush in Cripple Creek, Colorado has closed. This version of the Gold Rush had operated only for a few months after the previous Gold Rush, which was located in the same spot, moved and changed its name to Big Jim's Gambling Hall and Saloon.
It's just been confirmed by Robin Leach that Angel Management Group is taking over management of Chateau Nightclub at Paris, effective today. For a round-up of all the movings and shakings in clubland (basically, DJs playing musical chairs once again), check out his latest blog entry at Vegas Deluxe.
The Pods by Wolfgang Puck inside Crystals at CityCenter has closed. It will reopen as a Starbucks in the spring.
We just posted the new column from Bob Dancer, in which he shares a cautionary tale about how a veteran Strip casino evidently doesn't know its left hand from its right, resulting in confusion and frustration of epic proportions for players like him, who do know what they're doing.
KRAVE Massive, which promises to be the "biggest gay nightclub in the world" when it debuts for real in its new downtown home in Neonopolis, is temporarily moving to Crown nightclub at the Rio, under the name KRAVE at Crown, starting Jan. 18. KRAVE was formerly in the Miracle Mile Shops, and then opened temporarily downtown for a big New Year's bash, but the venue is still under construction and won't open for real until later in the spring.
Under its new management, expect changes at Hooters casino, with a room upgrade and new beach club in the works. The casino floor will be opened up to give better site lines. "We want people to look at this as a casino that has a Hooters restaurant inside of it and not a Hooters with a casino," the casino's executive director of marketing said in a statement.
There will be some new pools in town for the 2013 party season: In addition to the new dayclub at Sapphire strip club, debuting in March, and Bagatelle at the new Trop, the new Hakkasan nighlife/restaurant "experience" at MGM Grand is rumored to feature a pool, and today the VegasChatter blog reports that Mandalay Bay is in the process of constructing a second adult pool. Whether or not it will be topless, like Moorea Beach Club, remains to be seen, but probably not.
The latest cutback at the struggling LVH (formerly the Las Vegas Hilton) is the breakfast buffet, which now is served dependent on hotel occupancy, we were just informed. This week, there will be breakfast on Jan. 8 through 11; thereafter, your guess is as good as ours.
The downloadable coupons for the Fremont Street Experience that used to be downloadable from the attraction's website have been discontinued. That's the bad news. The good news is that the popular Main Street Station 2-for-1 buffet coupon has returned in the 2013 Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book -- along with 26 other buffet offers, not to mention deals on shows, restaurants, rooms, attractions, gambling, and more! It's just $37 for an annual online membership and the $50 all-purpose comp at the Palms (now good at NOVE Italiano) makes a subscription pay for itself.
Veteran casino executive Don Marrandino, who held posts running Station Casinos, Wynn, Hard Rock, and the Caesars Ent. group properties in Las Vegas before taking over the CE helm in Atlantic City, quit his job on Friday. The official statement was that he left to "pursue other opportunities" but whether he'll return to Las Vegas or not is as yet unknown.
Wynn Resorts says it plans to explore new business, both gaming and non-gaming, worldwide via a new subsidiary, Wynn Resorts Development LLC. The new division will be headed by Gamal Aziz, who helped Steve Wynn develop Bellagio and has since worked in a similar capacity for MGM Resorts International.
"What's happening in Vegas?" is the new add slogan you'll see on ads for the city. Aimed at non-regular Las Vegas travelers, it will coexist with the famous "What happens here, stays here" theme.
The Seattle Seahawks are -3 favorites over the Washington Redskins in the second NFC Wild Card game. The total is 45.
Be prepared for big crowds and high room rates this week, as CES opens Tuesday. The huge tradeshow will occupy 1.8 millon square feet of exhibition space, the equivalent of 31 football fields, and attract 150,000 participants.
The Baltimore Ravens are -7.5 favorites over the Indianapolis Colts in the second AFC Wild Card game. The total is 47.
Terrible's casino has almost completed a $7 million facelift, which includes renovation of its 327 hotel rooms, a facelift and reconfiguration of the casino floor, the addition of nearly 1,000 new slots, and a William Hill race and sports book. Terrible's remains a gambler-friendly casino, with good video poker schedules and players club deals.
An "everything-must-go" clearance sale kicks off at Bloomingdale's home store in the Fashion Show Mall today, following news that the store is to close later this spring. The sale's expected to run for seven - 11 weeks.
Players get a free shrimp cocktail today at the El Cortez. The shrimp will be delivered to your table or machine till 6 p.m.
In the first AFC wild card game of the NFL playoffs, the Houston Texans are -4 favorites over the Cincinnati Bengals. The total is 42.
The D Grill has opened at the D, replacing the Courtyard Cafe. A new steakhouse and Mexican restaurant are due to open soon. D Grill and the American Coney Island are both open 24/7.
The L.A. Times is giving more love to the 2013 edition of Eating Las Vegas, with a glowing write-up in the Daily Dish feature. Cheers!
The Green Bay Packers are -11 favorites over the Minnesota Vikings in the first NFC Wild Card game. The line soared late from -8 after the Vikings starting QB, Christian Ponder, was announced as inactive. The total is 44.5.
It's the final weekend for catching the festive light displays at Opportunity Village and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Admission is $13 at Opportunity Village and $15-$20 per car at the Speedway.
You have until 7 p.m. this evening to donate blood to United Blood Services at MaximuM Comics (7950 W. Tropical Parkway) in exchange for two free tix to see Evil Dead: The Musical at Planet Hollywood (lowest reg. price $58.67, inc. tax/fees). Donors will also receive a free comic book and be entered into a drawing to win a one-year lease on a Dodge Dart. Throughout the month, blood donors may visit any United Blood Services donation center or select mobile blood drives to enter the drawing.
In the Cotton Bowl, Texas A&M is a -3 favorite over Oklahoma. The total is 72.
It's a quiet one, with everyone recovering from New Year's still, evidently, but here are this weekend's highlights:
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson will be signing copies of his new fitness/lifestyle book, "Formula 50," at the Barnes & Noble located at 2191 N. Rainbow on Monday, Jan. 7, from 7-9 p.m.
The upcoming residency at the Mirage by R&B band Boyz II Men, announced yesterday, will kick off March 1, it's been confirmed. The band will perform will perform 78 shows in the Terry Fator Theatre on select weekend dates March 1 through December 29, 2013 and tickets, which are on sale now, start at $39.99.
The northern-most marina at Lake Mead will close at the end of January, since no one has bid to take over the contract to run it for the next decade, reports the National Park Service. Echo Bay Marina will cease water-based services on Feb. 1, though the boat ramp, convenience store, and other facilities are expected to remain open. The aging facility has suffered from a decline in boat-slip rentals and the drop in the water levels Lake Mead, that forced many boat owners to dry-dock their vessels.
This morning, it's the Downtown 3rd indoor farmers market, located at Casino Center and Stewart, which features local and organic produce, artisanal fare, food trucks, and more and runs until 2 p.m. Then tonight from 5 p.m. it's the first First Friday of 2013, featuring a Bloody Mary Drive by the American Red Cross. Visit the bus to donate your corpuscles and get a free Bloody Mary (21+ only).
In the Fiesta Bowl, Oregon is a -7.5 favorite over Kansas State. The total is 74.
The latest Football Update has been posted at LVASports.com, covering the college Bowl season and the NFL playoffs.
The new Sapphire gentlemen's club "dayclub" and pool is set to debut March 19, adjacent to the existing strip club on Dean Martin Drive. The pool will not be topless, the club confirmed to us this morning -- pasties will be required. They're also looking to hire a resident DJ -- click for details of the rules and to submit your entry for the $100,000 competition.
Yesterday's L.A. Times carries a feature about downtown Las Vegas' monthly First Friday arts fest, which veritably exploded in 2012 and is only going to get bigger and better...
Vegas Chatter, one of our other fave LV blogs, is reporting that not one but THREE new pizza joints will be opening downtown this year, including one (Pizza Rock) as part of the Downtown 3rd family, one (Slice) at The Ogden residential block, and one (Radio City Pizza) on Fremont East. This is in addition to the already popular Pop Up Pizza at the Plaza.
Details are scant at this time, but it's just been officially announced that '90s R&B vocal group Boyz II Men is to have a residency at the Mirage. We'll keep you posted as more information is announced.
According to the always culinarily well-informed Vegas Eater blog, chef Chris Herrin will close his popular Henderson bakery sometime this year, or at least majorly revamp what it is and/or where it is, due to logistical problems arising from running his new Meat & Three restaurant. The news comes in spite of the fact that, as the blog kindly points out, the venue made the "Essential 50" list in the 2013 edition of Eating Las Vegas.
Southwest Airlines is alerting customers to several online scams involving the promise of two free tickets. The bogus offers may ask users to supply personal details or download unwanted apps to their Facebook pages. Visit the official Southwest website for more information and details on what to do if you think you've been a victim of one of these scams.
Recycled Percussion, which is set to reopen at its new home at The Quad Jan. 12, appears on tonight's episode of Fox's "Mobbed" show, airing at 9 p.m.
It's Chef Mario Batali's "Bet on the Farm" farmers market today at Springs Preserve from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., so go pick up some organic produce and support local farmers and artisans!
In what could be a landmark case, a New York software developer and his company, Extension Software, which licenses the software to online casinos and bookmakers overseas, is being charged with promoting illegal gambling in that state because authorities claim it's being used for by others for placing illegal wagers, reports Wired magazine. Robert Stuart, along with his wife and brother-in-law, have each been charged with one felony count, although Stuart claims that he’s not aware of anyone using his product to take illegal bets in the U.S. and maintains that the software doesn’t place bets, but simply provides online gambling sites with the infrastructure to select and display which sporting events they want to offer bets on and then stores those wagers. A hearing in the case is scheduled to be held in New York on Jan. 8.
Metro just posted via their official Twitter (@LVMPD) that since the cell-phone law that bans users from talking on hand-held devices while driving (NRS 484B.165) was enacted last year, 9,941 cell-phone citations have been written by the LVMPD Traffic Bureau alone. Be smart and drive safe.
In the Sugar Bowl, Florida is a -14 favorite over Louisville. The total is 47.5.
The printable Flash version of the January 2013 issue of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter is now live on our site.
Although the pace of growth slowed over the previous year, Macau's gambling revenue leapt 13.5 percent to a record $38 billion in 2012, according to the latest official records released. The jump is attributable in part to an unexpectedly good December, which saw gaming revenue rise 19.6 percent year-on-year to 28.24 billion patacas ($3.5 billion).
It will be interesting to see how the partial smoking ban, introduced to all 44 casinos and slot parlors in the territory on Jan. 1, 2013, will affect gaming revenues. Under the new rules, smoking inside casinos is only allowed in designated areas, with properties permitted to allocate up to 50 percent of their gaming-floor space as smoking areas.
Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City plans to invest $60 million on renovations and expansion in the first half of 2013, in an effort to turn around the fortunes of the struggling property in the wake of the death of co-owner and marketing guru Dennis Gomes in early 2012. In addition to the addition of the $35 million Jimmy Buffett-themed Margaritaville entertainment complex, Resorts will upgrade hotel rooms, add a food court, introduce two new VIP players’ clubs, lay new carpet on the casino floor, and implement improvements to the parking garage.
It's Punk Rock Bingo tonight from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the infamous Double Down Saloon, featuring. It's free to play, with prizes to winners, and features "midgets, music, and general mayhem," apparently.
The Gold Dust casino in Deadwood, South Dakota, since gambling was legalized in 1989, closed its doors January 1. The casino had cut its graveyard shift last fall, but it's being said that the current closure is temporary only, pending the completion of renovations.
The popular sushi restaurant that has a location in the Fashion Show Mall is helping patrons shed the holiday-induced extra pounds with a new food-and-drink Skinny Pairing. For just $18 enjoy Hitokuchi Sashimi and Shrimp Plate, which features 14 bite-size pieces of fresh tuna, yellowtail, and salmon sashimi, plus shrimp, all garnished with micro greens (200 calories), plus a and a choice of one of three new cocktails (all under 160 calories), available through February. Plus, follow @RAsushi on Twitter for a chance to win a $50 RA Sushi Gift Certificate. From Jan. 1 to Jan. 7, tweet your New Year's Resolution and be sure to follow and tag @RAsushi on Twitter and post your New Year's Resolution for a chance to win one of five $50 RA Sushi gift certificates.
The first weekly column of the year from video poker expert Bob Dancer has him passing on a useful probability theory that applies not only to gambling, but to our whole daily decision-making process. Check it out.
In a survey conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University, 51% felt that sports betting should be legalized, the first time in the poll that a majority has been in favor of legalization. One in five men acknowledged having bet on sports.
In the Orange Bowl, Florida State is a -15 favorite over Northern Illinois. The total is 59.
In the Rose Bowl, Stanford is a -4 favorite over Wisconsin. The total is 47.
In the Capital One Bowl, Georgia is a -8 favorite over Nebraska. The total is 62.
In the Outback Bowl, South Carolina is a -4 favorite over Michigan. The total is 47.5.
Get free Bloody Marys with the breakfast and lunch buffets at Gold Coast, Suncoast, Orleans, and Sam's Town today. At the bars, Marys are just $2 from till 3 p.m.
The casinos remain busy today after the big NYE festivities. The sports books are busy with college bowl games running all day. South Point is awarding 10X points on penny reel slots, 5X on all other reels, and 2X on video poker.