IMPERIAL PALACE POOLSIDE LUAUS START UP IN MAY

The Imperial Luau at the Imperial Palace will start it's 17th season on May 3.  Running through Sept. 30, the Shangri-la pool will be transformed into a Pacific-Island paradise each Tuesday and Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.  The weather-permitting outdoor experience features an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet followed by a Polynesian revue with live music, traditional costumes, original choreography, and a fire-eating spectacle.  General admission tickets are $39.95, which includes a fake flower lei and one free drink, and $59.95 for VIP, which includes preferred seating, souvenir glass, unlimited beverages, and a fresh flower lei.  For tickets, call 888-777-7664.        

PALMS HOSTS AUTOGRAPH SIGNING WITH NHRA DRIVERS

A free NHRA driver autograph session will kick off the April 10-13 NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  The event will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10 at The Palms.  Several show cars will be on display and drag racing fans will have the opportunity to meet their favorite drivers, including 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champions Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel Dragster), Tony Pedregon (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and others.  There will also be several fan-interactive attractions.

COMEDIAN STEVE SOLOMON PERFORMS AT THE SUNCOAST            

Veteran stand-up comic Steve Solomon will perform his show, My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish and I'm In Therapy at the 450-seat showroom in the Suncoast, May 2-4, at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are priced from $19.95, call 702-636-7075.    Using the art of impersonation, Solomon masterfully weaves different dialects and crazy characters into his stories.  He turns his experience with an Italian Mom and Jewish dad into a one-man comedy.   As a child, Solomon lived in Brooklyn and was surrounded by immigrants: Russians, Italians, Irish and Chinese, who provided a medley of accents for Solomon to mimic.            

UPCOMING HEADLINERS  

As Toni Braxton exits the Flamingo, The Osmonds, Donny and Marie, will begin appearing there some time this year.  In the meantime, they will be hosting the Miss USA Pageant at Planet Hollywood when NBC televises the event on April 11.  One of the judges will be Heather Mills, the ex-Mrs. McCartney.     The sixth annual A Concert For Lili Claire will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 26 and feature the Goo Goo Dolls, Josh Kelley and Sugar Ray.  Tickets are $35, $60 and $75, call TIcketmaster. Country singer Tim McGraw will play the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 21, with Jason Aldean and Halfway to Hazard.       At the MGM, Robin Williams will headline the Grand Garden Arena on May 25.  Tickets are $100 and $225.  Alicia Keys will perform there on May 9 with Ne-Yo and Jordin Sparks.  Tickets range from $37.62 to $125. Rapper Soulja Boy will visit the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on May 4, with Lil Mama, TIffany Evens and V.I.C. Off the Strip, R&B singer/jazz guitarist George Benson will play the Grand Events Center at Green Valley Ranch on May 23.  Bawdy pop songstress Taylor Dane will stop at the Ovation at Green Valley Ranch on May 24.  Country singer Trace Adkins will perform at the Sunset Station Amphitheater on May 16.

QUICK CLIPS

Once again Las Vegas is getting exposure on the big screen with "21" playing at movie theaters.  The story is about a team of MIT students who used their blackjack card-counting strategies to win millions in Las Vegas.  Imagine what this movie may do for stimulating play at the tables?  And it certainly doesn't hurt that the movie stars two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey.  See, what happens in Vegas doesn't necessary "stay in Vegas."

British sensation and multi-platinum artist, Joss Stone, who has sold more than 7.5 million albums worldwide, was recently presented with a case dedication at the Hard Rock prior to her performance inside The Joint.  The unique display includes a dress, which Joss wore in the music video Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now, and other items.   Probably sometime this year, two non-gaming attractions will be leaving the Tropicana and moving to the Luxor.  "Bodies…The Exhibition" and "Titanic: The artifact Exhibition" have signed a 10-year deal and will take over the 50,000 square feet of the resort's atrium level that currently houses the King Tut exhibit, the IMAX theater and the arcade.  The Titanic exhibit will supposedly include one themed bar and restaurant, and a reconstruction of the Titanic's bow which will use a moving lifeboat for guests to gain access to the location.  Gift shops will also occupy the space.     NBC's Last Comic Standing will return to Las Vegas on May 22 for a sixth season.  The show will tape semi-final episodes with 30 contestants at 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Paris.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the hotel's box office.  The show will return to Las Vegas for this summer's season finale.

"ICE" The Show from Russia will initiate a price increase on April 21.  General admission will be raised more than $20 to $89.95 and VIP seating will be $77.25.                  

Every Thursday night through June 26, the Riviera is hosting Rock through the Ages pool parties at 6:30 p.m. with live bands playing hits from the 50s through the 80s and food and drinks available for purchase.  There are no tickets to buy; just show up.  Pool attire is optional, towels for seating suggested.

On any given day, Dick's Last Resort at the Excalibur provides patrons with plenty of reasons to party.  Each month, the rowdy restaurant recognizes outrageous occasions and non-traditional holidays.  Some wacky April examples include: Jackie Robinson Day April 11; Pajama Day April 14, National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day April 20; Pigs in a Blanket Day April 24; National Pretzel Day April 26; and Dress Like a Pro Wrestler April 28. John Edward, known for his popular internationally syndicated television shows, Crossing Over with John Edward and John Edward Cross Country, has two exclusive, one-day Sunday engagements scheduled at the Flamingo's showroom on April 13 and May 25 at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $175; phone 800-221-7299.

In celebration of its tenth anniversary, CineVegas has designed CineVegas: 10 Years on the Edge, a limited-edition book of photos taken over the film festival's decade-long history. The 32-page book features rare photos of Dennis Hopper, behind-the-scenes candids from the infamous showgirl centennial photo shoot on Fremont Street, one-of-a-kind photos of the Land of the Dead zombies, filmmaker quotes and more.  The cost is $19.95.

The City of Henderson Cultural Arts & Tourism Department is recognizing Jazz Appreciation Month with free family-friendly performances each Thursday in April at 8 p.m. at the Henderson Events Plaza, located at 200 S. Water Street. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION ABOUNDS

A No. 1 celebrity site on the Web, People.com, has named Strip House inside the new Planet Hollywood a "celebrity hot spot."  Strip House is a favorite among celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, David Spade and Cameron Diaz.  Since opening in September 2007, Strip House has catered to an array of well known guests including Charles Barkley, John Stewart and Pamela Anderson.  The stunning restaurant is also one of the top 10 new restaurants in Las Vegas by Citysearch and Zagat's Best of Las Vegas 2008.  TAO located on the Grand Canal Shoppes level of The Venetian won the "Best Bottle Service" Award at the 6th Annual Club World Awards in Miami.  The awards were voted upon by nightlife industry leaders and nightclub peers from around the globe and the "Best Bottle Service" Award made its debut this year.    Citysearch has recognized Hawaiian Tropic Zone as one of the top 10 new restaurants to the Las Vegas Strip and applauded owner Dennis Riese for bringing glitz and glamour back into fine dining.  The Web site praises Hawaiian Tropic Zone for a tantalizing menu created by celebrity chef David Burke, extensive wine list, a multitude of luscious and exotic cocktails, and heated Strip-side patio with spectacular views of Las Vegas.         

In the Review Journal's recent 27th Annual Best of Las Vegas 2008 Awards readers' survey, there were many winners in a multitude of categories. 

The Cannery in North Las Vegas received awards for the Best Football Contest as well as Best Mexican Restaurant within the "Hotels" category.   The Fantasy Football Contest consisted of a 17-week regular season contest and the restaurant is Casa Cocina. 

The Golden Nugget was recognized for the eighth consecutive year as the Best Downtown Hotel at the Las Vegas Review-Journal's 27th Annual Best of Las Vegas Awards ceremony last month.  The hotel was chosen by readers through print and online readers' polls for 2008, with nearly 8,000 people worldwide participating in the survey. KRAVE, an alternative lifestyle nightclub at Miracle Mile Shops, has been named the "Best Gay / Alternative Bar" in the RJ's contest.  Voters praise KRAVE for its multi-faceted space, which houses the Harmon Theater as well as a club and a lounge.  The alternative lifestyle hot-spot is also noted for its interesting themed nights including CandyBar Thursdays, Tigerheat Fridays and regular wet boxer contests.

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has moved to the new Town Square on the third floor of building D, directly above Banana Republic.  The main phone number has remained the same 702-641-5822 and the Web site is www.lvchamber.com for information regarding upcoming events.

J. W. MARRIOTT HOSTS CHILD FOCUS' FIFTH ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY TEA

Child Focus, a non-profit organization, is hosting the Fifth Annual Mother's Day Tea at the J. W. Marriott, on Saturday, May 10 from noon to 2 p.m.  The afternoon affair sells out each year.  Event pre-registration is required and reservations can be made by calling 702-436-1624.  Adult tickets are $55 for traditional tea fare and children are $35 for junior tea delights.  For adults, the event includes a complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa, a light menu, a silent auction, raffle tickets for purchase and a very special "balloon draw" showcasing the grand prize of luxurious M.J. Christensen jewels.  The youngest ladies will be entertained by VIP's, which stands for Very Important Princesses, and they can visit special stations including an arts and crafts area, face painting and balloon sculpturing throughout the reception and tea, and receive a special princess purse filled with goodies. For the teen set, makeup artists from Arbonne and Mary Kay will provide mini makeovers.  In addition, most attendees will wear traditional tea attire, which includes hats.

SPANISH TRAIL HOSTS ARTIST LORENZO GHIGLIERI AND HIS WORKS

Spanish Trail Golf and Country Club, which has had the honor of enjoying the sculptures and oil paintings of Lorenzo Ghiglieri for many years, will host the artist at the Clubhouse for a very special showing and auction of approximately 30 pieces of his valued works.  The show will be held on Sunday, May 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. This special event is open to the public; RSVP to Mimi Province at 702-364-5050, extension 1002.

In 1994, Ghiglieri sculpted the "Official American Bald Eagle" in bronze, silver and gold that is on display at the White House.  More recently, he was commissioned to complete the Timeline of Liberty, a historical bronze piece documenting the forefathers of liberty from ancient Greece to modern times.  In addition, his sculptures and paintings have been presented to Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, President Ronald Reagan at the White House, Mikhail Gorbachev of the Kremlin and King Juan Carlos of the Royal Palace in Madrid.

LIED DISCOVERY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM DEBUTS NEW TRAVEL SERIES

The Lied Discovery Children's Museum downtown will open a new children's educational travel series presentation, Tino Turtle Travels, on Saturday, April 12, with a special visit from the Tino Turtle Mascot at 10:15 a.m.  Tino is a young tortoise from the Mojave Desert that teaches children about the adventure of travel.  Las Vegas entertainer Ryan Ahern will perform a live reading and multi-visual presentation of the award winning book, Tino Turtle Travels to London, England by Carolyn L. Ahern with a book signing following.  For information, call 702-382-KIDS (5437).