Show business legends Donny & Marie reunite at MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre for eight unforgettable performances July 17 – 23.  Donny & Marie made television history when the variety show “The Donny & Marie Show” debuted on ABC in 1976 --- they were the youngest hosts ever of a primetime network series.  This wildly successful show solidified their worldwide fan base still numbering in the millions.  After multiple solo successes, the duo teamed up once again in 1998, hosting the nationally syndicated daytime talk show “Donny & Marie.”  During a rare limited engagement (the first time the pair has played a Las Vegas run since 1979), Donny & Marie will perform their greatest hits on a custom stage designed specially for this historic reunion.  The show will be a state-of-the-art extravaganza utilizing multiple projection screens, interlacing rare archival footage with the world premier of brand new videos produced by Donny.

 

Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular  at the VENETIAN just celebrated its second anniversary as one of the most successful productions on The Strip, proving “Broadway” can survive in Las Vegas.  After two thriving years and 930 performances, the cast and crew celebrated with an exquisitely decorated Phantom-themed cake during a curtain call at the anniversary’s performance.

 

Directed by 21-time Tony Award winner Harold (Hal) Prince, the show’s original director, and guided by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular is a 95-minute spectacle that features a live orchestra, elaborate new effects and a breathtaking chandelier experience.  Housed in an exclusive $40 million, state-of-the-art theatre designed and built specifically for the $35 million production

The 22^nd annual “Ribbon of Life” stage spectacular is Golden Rainbow’s single largest source of funding. Staged each June, “Ribbon of Life” is an incredible production show featuring hundreds of singers, dancers and other performers from the best shows in Las Vegas, staging original numbers created specifically for that year’s “Ribbon of Life” show. Each performer donates his or her time and talent to the production. This year’s 22nd annual “Ribbon of Life” production show raised more than $300,000 for Golden Rainbow to support people affected by HIV/AIDS in Clark County. The total was the largest ever raised by the organization from the show.  More than 300 performers from nearly every production show in Las Vegas volunteered their time and talent for the production. Stars appearing in the show included John O’Hurley, Miss Nude World Vanna Lace, and George Wallace, who spontaneously donated a $5,000 check during his stand-up performance, which brought the audience to its feet. Appearing in the show were the casts of Folies Bergere, Jubilee!, La Cage, Le Reve, The Lost Vegas Crew, Mamma Mia, Missy Cochran Entertainment, Mosaic, No Boundaries Dance Company, O, Phantom The Las Vegas Spectacular, Spamalot, Tim Searcy, Tony & Lloyd, Tony & Tina’s Wedding and the Hot Flash Hoofers, who traveled from Vancouver, British Columbia, to appear in the show.  The event was staged at Le Théâtre des Arts at Paris Las Vegas, which donated the theater space and multiple other amenities for the production.

A new concept in Nightlife opens as Pure Management Group and famed fashion designer Christian Audigier team up to create a hot new nightclub on The Strip, Christian Audigier The Nightclub at TREASURE ISLAND.  Known worldwide as a creative genius in the fashion industry, Audigier has popularized and created such lines as Ed Hardy, Smet, Crystal Rock and his namesake Christian Audigier.  His rock ‘n’ roll, glam-inspired style is celebrated throughout The Nightclub with works of art designed by Audigier, customized staff uniforms and splashes of his signature elements. Anchored by a black pebble stone bar with a red mirror bar top that features a one-of-a-kind fire effect, some of the most distinct features of Christian Audigier The Nightclub include vibrant red velvet tufted walls, black glass chandeliers, skull-and-rose encrusted mirrors and black faux-crocodile leather banquettes.  The crown jewel of The Nightclub will be a pair of massive jellyfish tanks, which will illuminate the space creating constant art in motion.  Christian Audigier, The Nightclub also will have a chic outside patio element offering patrons a front row view of The Strip.   

This year marks The Smothers Brothers 50^th year performing together as they continue to tour the country as the longest-lived comedy team in history.  They will be performing at the SUNCOAST, July 25-27 at 7:30 PM. From 1967 to 1969 they hosted their own prime-time comedy hour entitled The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour that made the viewing audience laugh while challenging the audience to think about what was happening in the world.  They took a stand against censorship, and their social and political commentary eventually got them fired from CBS. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour is now studied in Universities across the country as an important factor in the revolutionary changes undergone in the United States during the 1960’s.

Toby Keith, a multi-platinum country music superstar, brings his “Biggest & Baddest Tour 2008” to the MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER, July 26.  Academy of Country Music award-winner Montgomery Gentry, as well as Carter’s Chord, Mica Roberts and Trailer Choir, will open the show at 8 p.m.  As reported in Billboard Magazine in 2006, and for the fourth consecutive year, Keith was the year’s most-played country artist as monitored by radio airplay data.    

I attended the JAZZ in the PARK series with Woody Woods and his 18-piece orchestra with vocalists Kathleen ‘Kat’ Ray and Sophia Lelis.  The impressively large audience was thrilled with the performances. Produced by the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department, and co-sponsored by the Las Vegas Jazz Society. Jazz in the Park Series continues on Saturday’s at 8 p.m. at the Clark County Amphitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway.  Seating for those with picnic baskets, blankets and low-back chairs begins at 7 p.m. Food vendors are also available on site.  Admission & Parking are both free!  For Information call 455 8200 

The American Superstars show, which opened at the STRATOSPHERE in April 1996, has signed a contract extension through November 2009.  American Superstars is a full-scale production show that combines the talents of tribute artists  Darren Lee as Elvis, John Anthony as Rod Stewart, Chad Givens as Tim McGraw, Damian Brantley as Michael Jackson, and Lorena Peril as Christina Aguilera. The high energy Superstars Dance Band and the talented Superstars Dancers back the multi-talented cast.

The six-man A Capella group, Mosaic will host and perform two exclusive, 75-minute shows at HARRAH’s, July 13 at 1:30 p.m. and July 14 at 7:30 p.m. Mosaic is an instrument-free, all vocals group that blends elements of funk, jazz, hip-hop and opera.  Mosaic performs regularly with comedian George Wallace at the FLAMINGO and was recently crowned winner of CBS’ “The Early Show” search for The Next Great A Capella Group.  Proceeds from both events will benefit the Public Education Foundation of the Clark County School District.  As a special presentation, high school dancers will perform along-side professional Las Vegas dancers from Stratosphere’s show “BITE” and the Rio’s “Show in the Sky” in a beautiful mentoring-theme routine choreographed by Katy Tate of Bette Midler’s “The Show Girl Must Go On.” Tickets are $45.00 (plus tax and fees) and are available at the Harrah’s Las Vegas box office, online at www.harrahs.com or by calling (702) 369-5111.

The vision of the “2008 LAS VEGAS SHOWGIRL ART COMPETITION” is to capture the legacy of the Las Vegas Showgirl and production shows for which Las Vegas is world famous. The category that artists submit their work in is traditional drawings or paintings of costumes that reflect the magic and history of this marvelous era. The prizes are: First place: $500 Second place: $250 Third place: $100 and five special mentions: $25. The artwork of the top 25-35 artists generated from the “2008 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition” will be on display June 27 -August 1 at the Nevada Historical Society, Barnes and Noble in the fall of 2008, and other select venues in Las Vegas and Reno.

LAS VEGAS SENIOR CENTER’s weekly big band dances are now held on Friday nights from 5 to 8 p.m. now that the center is closed on Saturdays. The dances, featuring Boyd Coulter’s Good Times Band, has drawn crowds of active older adults to the Center on Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. for many years. Prices will remain $4 per person and the dances will continue to be held in the Center’s ballroom. The LAS VEGAS SENIOR CENTER is located at 451 E. Bonanza Road, with nearby easy access to the U.S. 95 freeway at Las Vegas Boulevard.

SUPER SUMMER THEATRE presents “1776” starting July 10 at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park located 10 miles west of 215 on Charleston Ave. Performances are Wednesday – Saturday (July 10, 11, 12, 16,17,18,19, 23, 24, 25, 26)  Gates open at 6 p.m.     Show starts at 8 p.m.  Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair/ or rent a chair, bring a picnic dinner or indulge in treats from the concession stand and enjoy the outdoors. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 at the UNLV Box Office, Prestige Travel at Lake Mead and Rampart, or online at unlvtickets.com.  Also playing this season is “Aida,” Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theatre and Jazz Fest.  For more information, call 702.594.PLAY.   

THE SILVERTON CASINO celebrates its 11-year anniversary with three days of free cake and champagne served on the casino floor from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 11 and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. The Silverton now offers complimentary transportation between the parking lot and main casino entrance. Tram service between the casino and the parking lot runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.  This fall, Silverton Casino Lodge will unveil a 1,500-space public parking garage complete with a temperature controlled indoor valet waiting area and VIP parking.

Llynda Moore and Mark Gendel, a very attractive and talented duo will be performing at the Tempo Lounge at the LAS VEGAS HILTON through September. The Tempo Lounge has a romantic, hip and fun atmosphere and is the perfect place to hang out with friends, bring guests, or impress a date.  There is no cover charge to get in and no drink minimum! Tuesday nights are ’ladies nights’ when drinks are free for all the ladies from 6pm till 9 pm!  And, Friday and Saturday nights can be quite the place as during a performance, a major celebrity came in to enjoy the fun and live entertainment provided by Las Vegas’s great duo…More & Gendel! 

 

Madame Meg (Meg Bertini) co-producer and lead in the new Las Vegas show “Madame Meg's Find Your Sexy” at Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce at MANDALAY BAY offers up a new twist on self-improvement by using Burlesque to help audiences improve life.  Her new show on the Las Vegas Strip is a burlesque (no nudity) Variety show that includes Hypnotist Kellie Karl, Emily Lauren who progresses from uncertain showgirl to Wonder Woman, Songstress Amanda Kaiser and the King of Close-up Magic, Steve Dacri. The next Madame Meg's Find Your Sexy show is Friday July 11th. For reservations and ticket information, visit www.madamemeg.com or call 702.953.9705 or 866.704.0138.

 

Bruce Merrin. Las Vegas’ PR guru does PR for Madame Meg and is also the proud dad of his son Adam's band, ‘The 88.’  `The 88’ recently headlined at the ROXY in Los Angeles and Bruce was there for the exciting concert. Also, The 88 debut album with Island will be released in August. 

 

Criss Angel is recognized as one of the most provocative artists in the world today.  In an attempt to pay homage to the late/great Harry Houdini, Criss chose “Believe” as the title for the new Cirque du Soleil production set to open at LUXOR.  Tickets are now on sale for preview and regular performances of  CRISS ANGEL BELIEVE that will open for preview performances September 1 and hold its Gala Premiere September 12, 2008.

 

A new female singer, FELICE GARCIA has joined the cast of the legendary Folies Bergere as the new principal female singer at the TROPICANA.  Felice is very familiar with the stage, performing since the young age of nine in talent shows, musicals, plays, pageants, civic events and other miscellaneous functions. This is her first big production show while she is currently attending UNLV as a senior, majoring in Vocal Performance.  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.  “Folies Bergere” is performed at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday.  On Tuesday and Friday, the show is performed at 8:30pm

 

And, The TROPICANA introduces its newest pool party concept, ‘Mint Mondays,’ complete with food, fun and entertainment every Monday from noon to 11 p.m.  Mint Mondays’ is not restricted to just Mondays. A similar version of the pool party can be experienced every Friday and Saturday throughout the summer.  All pool parties at the TROPICANA are FREE admission and open to the public.

The HOGS & HEIFER’s ‘Hog Wild for Kids” charity motorcycle run to benefit Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF) and their Camp Cartwheel program was a huge success. The third annual event raised $20,000, enabling 80 kids to attend summer camp.

The money raised came from rider registrations ($1,740), live auction of donated items ($10,475), and participant donations and raffle ticket sales ($6916) and the last $869 from Hogs & Heifers owner Michelle Dell bringing the grand total to $20,000.

 VOX Wine Lounge – a neighborhood restaurant located at 2630 W. Horizon Ridge, Henderson, gives customers more value by offering amazing cuisine generally found in The Strip’s top restaurants at off-Strip prices.  VOX is offering a free dessert to customers as a reward for driving less and staying closer to home. Customers who bring in at least $100 worth of gas receipts to VOX from now until August 31, 2008, will receive a free dessert with the purchase of their lunch or dinner entrée.