Ah yes, it’s National Finals Rodeo time in Las Vegas once again and the cowboys (and girls) are back in town. As ever, there’s plenty to keep them busy when they’re not riding bulls, roping calves, and doing whatever else cowboys do at the rodeo. And you can join in, too! Here’s the lowdown on the hoedown.
The Downtown Hoedown itself got the party started on Fremont Street yesterday evening, but don’t worry if you missed it, the fun continues through Dec. 15 when the final belt buckle is awarded.
Gilley’s may be gone -- nothing like being imploded to kill the atmosphere in a joint, but the good news is that owner Stoney Gray has opened up a big new venue called, not surprisingly, Stoney’s, which, pushing the genre perhaps to its limit, bills itself as a "cowboy ultralounge." See below for details, along with all of the other special events, promotions, and regular ongoing events we know of that might interest all you NFR fans out there. Remember to keep checking Today’s News for drink specials and other promotions, which hadn’t been announced at the time of this writing, but are sure to be abundant.
Arizona Charlie’s Boulder Dec. 4-16 The Randy Anderson Band Venue: Palace Grand Lounge Time: Tues-Thurs, 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m./Fri & Sat, 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Price: Free Show will be dark Dec. 10. $3 Jack Daniels shots and cocktails.
Arizona Charlie’s Decatur Dec. 4-16 The Kelly J. Band Venue: Naughty Ladies Saloon Time: Tues-Thurs, 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m./Fri & Sat, 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Price: Free Show will be dark Dec. 10.
Boulder Station Dec. 7-8 Rodney Atkins Venue: The Railhead Time: 8 p.m. Price: $29.95 and up
Cox Pavilion Location: by Thomas & Mack Center (corner of E. Tropicana Ave. & Swenson St.) Dec. 5-15 Cowboy Corral Time: Mon-Fri, 4:15 p.m./Sat & Sun, 3:15 p.m. Price: Free for NFR ticket holders Confirmed performances by Jerrod, Niemann, Lady Antebellum, Chris Young, LoCash Cowboys, Luke Bryan, Bomshel, Jason Michael Carroll, Jennifer Hanson, and Flynnville train. Click here for performance schedule.
Dillon’s Dance Hall & Saloon Country bar located at 4660 Boulder Hwy., open 7 p.m. until late Friday and Saturday. Free line-dancing lessons 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. (A.K.A. Dylan’s Dance Hall & Saloon)
Gold Coast Dec. 6-15 Billy Bob’s Texas Las Vegas Outpost Rodeo After Party Venue: Gold Coast Showroom Time: 9 p.m. Price: Free Features live music. "National Finals Tonight" begins at 11 p.m. with rodeo highlights and interviews with rodeo pros and celebrities hosted by eight-time World Champion and Hall of Fame Cowboy Don Gay and TV host Dan Miller.
Golden Nugget Dec. 5-15 2008 Ford F-150 Truck Giveaway Earn tickets starting Dec. 5 at the tables, slots or by redeeming rodeo ticket stubs. Drawing for the truck will be held Dec. 15 and the winner does not have to be present to win the grand prize.
Dec. 6-8 - The Charlie Daniels Band Dec. 9-11 - Terri Clark Dec. 12 - Ronnie Milsap Dec. 13-14 - Clay Walker Venue: The Showroom Time: 10 p.m. Price: $38.50 and up
Dec. 6, 10, & 13 Bucking Broncos Blackjack Tournaments Entry fee is $50 for each tournament or $100 for all three. Each tournament offers $10,000 in cash prizes, including a $5,000 cash grand prize.
Dec. 6-15 Ricky and the Redstreaks Venue: The Grand Time: 11 p.m. Price: $5 (men)/Free (ladies)
Dec. 10 WNFR Team Ropers Autograph Session Venue: The Grand Time: Noon-2 p.m. Price: Free
Hard Rock Dec. 14-15 Lynyrd Skynyrd Venue: The Joint Time: 9 p.m. Price: $62 and up
Larry’s Hideaway Country bar located at 3369 Thom Blvd. Free line dance lessons Tues.-Thurs., 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (usually Mon.-Thurs., but not during football season)
Las Vegas Convention Center Dec. 6-15 Cowboy Christmas Gift Show Venue: North Hall Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Price: Free Western-themed shopping experience with more than 400 vendors offering customized jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts, pottery, and more. Free shuttle service to the Thomas & Mack Center for each night’s event.
Las Vegas Hilton Dec. 6-8 Trace Adkins Venue: Las Vegas Hilton Theatre Time: Thurs & Fri, 10 p.m.; Sat, 9 p.m. Price: $45 and up
Dec. 9-11 Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy and James Otto Venue: Las Vegas Hilton Theatre Time: Sun, 9 p.m.; Mon & Tues, 10 p.m. Price: $60 and up
Dec. 12-15 Brooks & Dunn Venue: Las Vegas Hilton Theatre Time: 10 p.m. Price: $100 and up
Mandalay Bay Dec. 6 Christy Clayton Venue: House of Blues Time: 10 p.m. Price: Free
People’s Auto Center 6501 West Centennial Center Blvd. Dec. 6 Christy Clayton Time: 6 p.m. Price: Free
Slots-A-Fun Dec. 10-15 Daily drawings for cash and prizes including a custom-made hand0tooled saddle worth approximately $3,000. See the players club booth for details. You must be present at the drawings to win.
South Point Dec. 6-8 – Darryl Dodd Dec. 9-11 – Jon Wolfe Dec. 12-13 - Blaine Gray Dec. 14-15 - Lee Brice Venue: The Showroom Dance Hall Time: After the Rodeo -- time TBA Price: Free
Dec. 6-10 - Susie Dobbs Dec. 11-15 – Woody Lee Venue: The Showroom Dance Hall Time: Midnight Price: Free
Dec. 6-15 Montana Silversmiths Go-Round Buckle Presentation Venue: South Point Dance Hall Time: 11 p.m. Price: Free Hosted by Flint Rasmussen and Randy Corley
Stoney’s Rockin’ Country Dec. 6-15 Stoney’s is located at 8151 Las Vegas Blvd. S. NFR After Party Time: 7 p.m. Live entertainment by Austin Law. Bikini bull riding, bowling, pool tables, and cowboy arcade. Free line dance lessons Tues.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
