July is the hottest month of the year...brace yourself. 110 - 115 degrees is normal right now, and 120 is not out of the question---and even though we are proud that it's a "dry" heat, at this point it's just plain hot. We thank God for the invention of air conditioning, and we curse the Devil for the invention of power bills. I know people that travel with oven mitts because if a car is left parked in the sun, the steering wheel is too hot to touch for driving. Sunscreen and water are essentials during this time of year...don't leave home without them. The best place to be is inside a casino or a showroom.  When the tourists are not inside; they'll be hanging out on the Strip suffering from heat exhaustion, or by the pool getting sun burnt. It's a great time to really enjoy the beautiful summer nights...that is, of course, if anyone decides to take out the loan to buy the gas to get here.

The most notable event in July is our Independence Day, of course, and the Fourth of July is bigger and better here than just about anywhere else in the country...and since the Fourth is on a Friday, it is going to be a huge celebration and a long weekend for a lot of the tourists. There are plenty of celebrations throughout the city, and each area of town is going to have all of their own events. Over a quarter of a million people are expected to be visiting here on the fourth, and if you are anywhere near, or in view of, the Strip you are in for an amazing fireworks display.  There are events planned all over the city, and it will be almost impossible to miss.

Fires are always a problem in this area...but the purchase of the "sane and safe" fireworks are legal in Clark County, the local fire departments are hoping that few indulge themselves. After having a dry spring, there is a lot of fuel for a fire. Wildfires have already been plaguing the southwest, and no one wants the situation to be worsened by additional fires caused by the fireworks. Another problem is that "Insane and Unsafe" fireworks are available outside of the county, and a lot of people work to bring those products into our city, but they are illegal in Clark County...Do everyone and yourself a favor---watch one of the planned displays.

"Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" and "Love" have both just celebrated their two-year anniversary. "Phantom" is a brilliant adaptation (which was done by the original team of Hal Prince and Andrew Lloyd Webber,) and is housed in a beautiful custom-made theatre. "Love" is a spectacular show that features the music of the Beatles. It is a grand and wonderful production---one that you would certainly expect from the Cirque Company.

Toni Braxton closed her show at the Flamingo. She had some health problems in April and just never came back.

"Hats!" closed its doors as well...it was sudden and really without warning. They just decided to close. I guess that the built in audience of Red Hat Society members wasn't really built in all that much...either that or they just don't want to buy the gas to make the trip to Vegas.

I was very sad to hear that Second City is going to be closing...the improv troupe from Chicago, as well as their school, is going to end its run on August 1st. From what I have heard, though, the problem is really more about the space sharing that they are doing with the "X" show. Second City really needs a dedicated space...and I believe that they are looking out for one.

"Defending the Caveman" finished its first year at the Golden Nugget, and is now signed on for another. It is a hilariously insightful play about the ways that men and women relate and it proves its continued success in North America with recent sold out runs in Toronto, Philadelphia and Chicago with return engagements already booked.

Two-time Grammy® winning singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins will headline at the Las Vegas Hilton July 11, performing songs from his latest solo album, How About Now as well as his classic hits. His Hilton appearance features signature Loggins hits and songs from the new album. One of the highlights is a stripped-down, updated version of the 1973 Loggins & Messina smash hit, "A Love Song." For the new album, Loggins reworked it with a group of young Southern California-based musicians.

The Luxor will be closing its IMAX® 3-D Theatre and the Tomb and Museum of King Tutankhamen in preparation for the Summer 2008 debut of BODIES...The Exhibition, which features a fascinating and educational display of the human body; and the Fall 2008 debut of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which offers a remarkable presentation of authentic pieces from the legendary ship.

Felice Garcia joins the cast of the legendary Folies Bergere as the new principal female singer at the Tropicana Resort & Casino. Felice is currently attending University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a senior, majoring in Vocal Performance. She is originally from Carlsbad, California, but attended high school in Reno, Nevada. She spent her junior year living abroad in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Felice moved to Las Vegas three years ago to attend college. Some of her most memorable accomplishments include winning the "Reno Idol" competition in 2004, a local version of American Idol, and she was also the first runner up for Miss Reno/Sparks, Nevada in 2005.
 

Trent Carlini has closed his Elvis tribute show at the Sahara, as well as the Fab Four tribute show to the Beatles...but the room will not stay empty for very long..."Raw Talent Live," a 75-minute, high-energy experience featuring interactive live performances of the next generation of World Dance with live, original music and exclusive, high-tech video illusions, will make its debut on the Las Vegas Strip at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in August 2008. "Raw Talent Live will change the way Las Vegas experiences entertainment," said ND, creator, producer and director of "Raw Talent Live." "The show will transport audiences from their world to a virtual world that crosses the line between real and surreal, incorporating raw emotion with adrenaline packed interactive performances for a multi-sensory experience." "Raw Talent Live" has been in development by ND for more than 18 months. ND teamed up with manager and executive producer Bernie Yuman. Yuman is well known as the manager of Siegfried & Roy and Muhammad Ali.

DooWop in the Desert is presenting a "Sizzling Summer Oldies Show" at Alexis Park on E. Harmon on Saturday, July 19th at 7:30 PM, Starring Kenny Vance & the Planotones, Frankie Lymon's Legendary Teenagers, The Chiffons, The Goodfellas, The Royals of San Diego Acappella group and some surprises. Call (702) 454-4229 for details and ticket reservations.  Mention CallBack Magazine for a 10% discount on advance sales.

Gerry McCambridge  (The Mentalist) has celebrated his first year anniversary at Hooters. Described as having the "Most Mind Boggling Show in Las Vegas," Gerry McCambridge not only makes you laugh, but also amazes his audience by reading their minds.

One other note of notes...Michael Paskevich, a former and formidable Vegas entertainment writer, is working on the Hilton Head Comedy Club in Hilton Head, South Carolina...and as a ‘thank you' to all Las Vegas residents, they all get into the club for FREE for the first year. If you're in SC, be sure to stop in.

This is going to be a big month in Las Vegas...

The first week will have...
Steve Dacri: Impossible Magic
SIX TABLES RESTAURANT Through - Nov 30, 2008
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Jun 19 - July 16
Bette Midler
Caesars Palace Jun 24 - July 20
7th Annual Las Vegas Darts Desert Classic
Mandalay Bay July 2 - July 6
Natasha Bedingfield w/ the Veronicas and Kate Voegele
Mandalay Bay July 2
Bob Weir & Ratdog with Gov't Mule
Hard Rock July 3
Night of Fire: Fireworks & Stock Car Racing
Las Vegas Motor Speedway July 3
Rancid w/ The Aquabats and Urchin
Mandalay Bay July 3
America
Lake Las Vegas July 4
Stars on the Lake Concert & Fireworks
Four of July Celebration 
Henderson Pavilion July 4 Free
Damon Wayans
Orleans Hotel July 4 - July 6
Joe Rogan
Mandalay Bay July 4
Katt Williams
Palms Casino July 4
Las Vegas Tenors
Suncoast Hotel July 4 - July 6
Steel Pulse
Hard Rock July 4
Terry Fator
Las Vegas Hilton July 4 - July 6
American Idols Live Tour 2008
Thomas & Mack Center July 5
The hit TV show American Idol comes to Las Vegas. Catch the top 12 finalists of this season
Atomic Punks
Santa Fe Station July 5
Cinderella and Warrant
Sunset Station July 5
Davy Jones of the Monkees
Cannery Casino July 5
Good Charlotte
Hard Rock July 5
Las Vegas Gun & Knife Show
Cashman Center July 5 - July 6
Maxxis Endurocross
Orleans Hotel July 5
Miss Vietnam Global 2008
MGM Grand July 5
Reba
Buffalo Bill's Resort July 5
Torres vs. Holt
Planet Hollywood July 5
UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin
Mandalay Bay July 5
Yaz
Palms Casino July 6


The second week includes:
Rooney w/ Locksley and The Bridges
Mandalay Bay July 10
Boy George of Culture Club
Mandalay Bay July 11
Jay Leno
Mirage July 11 - July 12
Jim Belushi & the Sacred Hearts
Orleans Hotel July 11 - July 12
Jim Breuer
Boulder Station July 11
John Heffron
South Point Casino July 11 - July 13
Ky-Mani Marley
Sunset Station July 11
Miss Dance USA
Cashman Center July 11 - July 13
NBA Summer League
Cox Pavilion July 11 - July 20
Peter Frampton
Red Rock Casino July 11
Rusted Root
Hard Rock July 11
Say Goodnight Gracie
Suncoast Hotel July 11 - July 13
Boz Scaggs
Buffalo Bill's Resort July 12
John Edward
Flamingo July 12
Little Anthony & The Imperials
Cannery Casino July 12

The Third week will feature:
Howard Jones
South Point Casino July 16
Donny & Marie Osmond
MGM Grand July 17 - July 23
Mastodon & Machine Head w/ Black Tide
Mandalay Bay July 17
70's Soul Jam
Texas Station July 18
Bridal Expo
Cashman Center July 18 - July 19
De La Soul
Hard Rock July 18
Journey w/ Heart & Cheap Trick
Mandalay Bay July 18
Kathy Griffin
Mandalay Bay July 18
RnR
Green Valley Ranch July 18
SCORE Las Vegas Terrible's Cup IV
Las Vegas Motor Speedway July 18 - July 19
The Lettermen
Suncoast Hotel July 18 - July 20
The Zombies
Cannery Casino July 18
Trisha Yearwood
Orleans Hotel July 18 - July 20
Wanda Sykes
Planet Hollywood July 18 - July 19
World Famous Lipizzaner Stalions
South Point Casino July 18 - July 20
Coldplay
MGM Grand July 19
Gavin Rossdale
Hard Rock July 19
Peter & Gordon w/ Chad Jeremy
Cannery Casino July 19
Cristian Castro
Mandalay Bay July 20

The fourth week has...
Dancers Rock Nationals
Cashman Center July 21 - July 22
National Ranking System Summer Bonanza Team Penning
South Point Casino July 22 - July 25 Free
Summer Basketball Jam
Cashman Center July 22 - July 27
Elton John - The Red Piano
Caesars Palace July 23 - Aug 2
Scary Kids Scaring Kids & Finch w/ Foxy Shazam, Tickle Me Pink
Mandalay Bay July 23
Craig Ferguson
MGM Grand July 24 - July 30
Less Than Jake w/ Goldfinger, and Big D
Mandalay Bay July 24
The National Institute of American Doll Artists
Imperial Palace July 24 - July 27
Alkaline Trio w/ American Steel and the Fashion
Mandalay Bay July 25
Chris Bliss
South Point Casino July 25 - July 27
David Spade
Planet Hollywood July 25 - July 26
Eddie Izzard
Palms Casino July 25 - July 26
Jay Leno
Mirage July 25 - July 26
Jim Gaffigan
Mandalay Bay July 25
Kool & the Gang
Orleans Hotel July 25 - July 27
Michael John - Tribute to Billy Joel
Cannery Casino July 25
Smothers Brothers
Suncoast Hotel July 25 - July 27
The Fixx, The Alarm, and The English Beat
Sunset Station July 25
USA Basketball Challenge
Thomas & Mack Center July 25
Bo Bice
Santa Fe Station July 26
Bullet for My Valentine, Bleeding Through & Cancer Bats
Mandalay Bay July 26
Chris Botti
Green Valley Ranch July 26
Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito
MGM Grand July 26
Music of Abba Tour, Direct from Sweden
Cannery Casino July 26 Free
Ringo Starr
Buffalo Bill's Resort July 26
B&A International Body Building Classics
Cashman Center July 27


The last week of the month and into August will have...
Cinderella Scholarship Pageant
Cashman Center July 29 - Aug 1
Paramore w/ Jack's Mannequin, Phantom Planet and Paper Route
Henderson Pavilion July 29
Don Rickles
Orleans Hotel July 31 - Aug 3
Wayne Newton
MGM Grand July 31 - Aug 6
Cavalera Conspiracy w/ the Dillinger Escape Plan
Mandalay Bay Aug 1
Clint Holmes
Suncoast Hotel Aug 1 - Aug 3
Jonny Lang
Hard Rock Aug 1
Kevin James
Mirage Aug 1 - Aug 2
Motley Crue, Buckcherry and Papa Roach
Mandalay Bay Aug 1
Slightly Stoopid
Hard Rock Aug 1
Craig Chaquico
Santa Fe Station Aug 2
Crossroads of the West Gun Show
Cashman Center Aug 2 - Aug 3
Human League and Belinda Carlisle
Planet Hollywood Aug 2
Little River Band
Cannery Casino Aug 2
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
Buffalo Bill's Resort Aug 2
Rod Stewart w/ special guest Bryan Adams
MGM Grand Aug 2
2008 World Hip Hop Dance Championship
Planet Hollywood Aug 3