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Karaoke arrived in Las Vegas in the early '90s and has been growing ever since -- about 175 casinos and bars in town now hold a karaoke night at least once a week. In fact, the karaoke phenomenon has grown so huge that it's even spawned a television series. Singsations is a TV show sponsored by the Stardust (but filmed in the showroom at the Plaza), which airs on FOX-KVVU, Channel 5, in Las Vegas every Friday night for 21 weeks of the year and features some of the best karaoke singers in town, who compete for a share of $5,000 in cash prizes and the title of "Singer of the Year." The seven months when the show is off-air are spent auditioning singers for the next season. Log on to the official Web site at http://singsations.com for more information.
If you're just looking for a fun night out on or near the Strip, here are some popular karaoke venues:
Treasure Island: Mist bar features karaoke every Monday 10 pm-4 am, with "The Gong Show, Karaoke Style" every first Monday in the month.
Stratosphere: The Crazy Armadillo Tex-Mex Grill & Oyster Bar features karaoke 8 pm-1 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Barbary Coast: The Barbary Coast Lounge offers karaoke every Monday night 9 pm-2:30 am.
Mandalay Bay: Every Monday from 10 pm the House of Blues hosts "Rockstar Karaoke" featuring a real live rock band instead of a karaoke machine. Admission is free.
Bootlegger Bistro: Located at 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. S., about five minutes from Mandalay Bay, the Bootlegger is owned by former lounge singer and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, and from 8:30 pm every Monday it's home to "Celebrity Karaoke" with Kelly Clinton. What makes this karaoke night somewhat different from those listed above is that this one mostly features professional performers from the various shows around town, who come to let their hair down and belt out their favorites. Some of the celebrities who’ve graced the stage include: Buddy Greco, Clint Holmes, Jimmy Hopper, Cook E. Jarr, Jack Jones, Bill Medley (of the Righteous Brothers), Frankie Scinta, and some of Gladys Knight's Pips. Amateurs are also allowed to take part, but be warned: You'd better be good!
And, of course, Ellis Island's karaoke scene begins nightly at 9. EI has been a Las Vegas karaoke stronghold for years, often the scene of celebrity sightings late-night. Plus, you can get the great Ellis Island $4.95 steak dinner after the fun.
For a regularly updated list of all the karaoke venues around town, check out the "Where to Sing" pages on Vegas' Karaoke Star magazine, an online and print periodical dedicated exclusively to the karaoke scene in Las Vegas and San Diego.
Update 22 June 2006
Tropics Lounge at the Tropicana has Tropi-Karaoke Wednesdays through Sundays from 8 pm - 12:30 am. The lounge is located on the Island Tower Walkway, next to the Island Buffet.
The popular Karaoke Club at Imperial Palace is no more as of this month, due to the closure of Tequila Joe's to make way for Beacher's Rockhouse Bar, which is slated to open in August.
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