Every year, May brings out the best in Las Vegas entertainment. In recent months, several shows have opened, and there are still more are on the horizon. The summer season is upon us, and it is a crucial time for productions to get a strong foothold into the entertainment world and establish themselves for the very busy fall season. The summer will generally determine what shows are going to be staying around for a while and which ones will be closing forever. This May is going to be an interesting month for a lot of reasons. May is always an odd transitional month...the weather is changing as frequently as the shows...the only thing that we can really count on is that we know that by the end of the month, things will just start getting hot.

Remember that Mother's Day is on the 11th. If you're in town, there are several shows that will offer specials for you and your mother. If you're not in town...just remember Mom. In honor of Mother's Day, Harrah's is offering a free ticket to HATS! Just purchase a regularly priced ticket for performances, May 1 - 11 and get one ticket free.

May 15th is the 103rd Anniversary of the founding of the City of Las Vegas. No one really cares about this statistic. We had a great 100-year celebration, and we may have to wait for the 150-year mark to get the city to celebrate again.

The Jersey Boys are officially opening their show at the Palazzo Hotel. The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is a sure hit. Having seen one of the preview performances...the show is brilliant.

It will be a big week for Vegas magicians the first week in May on the David Letterman show. From the 5th to the 9th, the show will feature Lance Burton, Mac King, Dirk Arthur, Penn & Teller, and Steve Wyrick.

And speaking of Vegas Magicians...a tell-all book from disgruntled employees of Siegfried and Roy comes out in the middle of the month. "The Secret Life of Siegfried & Roy" promises to let out all of the dirty little secrets of what went on backstage.

San Gennaro Feast is at the Grand Canyon Shopping Center from May 7th to the 11th. The festival is the biggest Italian Feast in town is now even bigger. The Annual San Gennaro Feast is now a festival that is held twice a year and held in honor of the Saint San Gennaro. The festival features a wide variety of ethnic food vendors, live national acts hourly on the main stage, amusement rides and game fun for the whole family. The festival is one of the most popular festivals for locals and visitors from all over the world. Each festival expects to out-do the last...and the food is wonderful.

Helldorado Days are on the horizon. A Las Vegas tradition since 1934, Helldorado Days recaptures the spirit of the Old West. It is a celebration of our community's western heritage for residents and visitors. It is the longest running civic event in the area. For generations, southern Nevadans have joined in Helldorado Days with parades and events that highlight our city's western heritage. The event is hosted by the Las Vegas Elks. The annual Helldorado parade will be on Saturday, May 17th at 7:00 pm, and will feature floats, bands, civic organizations, school groups and our community's elected officials.

The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum in the Venetian will close its doors May 11th. The museum has been with us for nearly seven years, and it is a shame to see to go. Guggenheim officials said the museum will continue to partner with the Venetian on "a number of other projects," but wouldn't elaborate. The museum will offer free admission until it closes in May.

Wynn Las Vegas officials announced that Monty Python's SPAMALOT will end its run at the end of the current contract, on July 13, 2008 after more than 500 performances. The Wynn will then convert the Grail Theatre into the Encore Theatre for Danny Gans. Gans will be ending his run at the Mirage in November, and then begin his run at the Encore in early "09.
Impressionist Gordie Brown has opened his show at the V Theater located in the Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood. Brown"s show consists of comedy, music, parody, and impression. He performs over 50 voices, including Elton John, Billy Joel, Robert Deniro, Garth Brooks, Ozzy Osbourne, and Jack Nicholson.

The Soprano"s Last Supper at the Riviera will have their 2nd Birthday Bash, and the show will feature a guest appearance from Steven R. Schirripa, the real Bobby Baccalieri, Jr from the multi-award-winning HBO TV series The Sopranos on May 6th.

"CRISS ANGEL Believe" was unveiled as the name of the highly anticipated new Cirque du Soleil production set to open at Luxor Las Vegas. CRISS ANGEL Believe starring Criss Angel will hold its Gala Premiere September 12, 2008, with preview performances beginning September 1, 2008. Tickets go on sale today exclusively to the fans: Criss Angel Loyals, Cirque Club Members and Luxor Insiders. Tickets will be available to these groups online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/crissangel and www.crissangel.com. CRISS ANGEL Believe will be presented in a custom-built theater at Luxor Las Vegas.

The Reel Awards TM & Celebrity Impersonator Conventions will be presented May 24 - 29.
The Reel Awards is celebrating its 17th year. This annual spectacle brings together the best celebrity impersonators from around the world. The a la carte registration form offers you a full menu of registration choices: seminars, the convention, showcase opportunities, meals, or tickets to The Reel Awards.

STOMP OUT LOUD celebrated its first anniversary at Planet Hollywood this past month.

Mega Bubble Show has changed its name back to the original title, Gazillion Bubble Show. Gazillion Bubble Show is performed in the Steve Wyrick Theatre in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

The Golden Nugget is hosting the finals of the 25th annual Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Model Search competition on May 6th to 10th. The competition will be filmed for a one-hour show to be broadcast this summer. The Finals will be held on the Fremont Street Experience"s First Street Stage and will incorporate the lights from the Fremont Street Experience"s Viva Vision Lightshow. The finale will feature a live performance by the band Everclear.

Cher opens at Caesars on May 6th. Tickets for Cher"s Las Vegas Shows are selling quickly and many dates are now SOLD OUT! Cher has proven to be a huge success so far, with tickets selling at a greater speed than Celine Dion.

Competitive eaters will come together on the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York, New York Hotel to compete in the Nathan"s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship. The contest will take place Thursday, May 8th at 3 p.m. This is the 11th year of this event. Interested competitors need to pre-register at www.NathansFamous.com.

May brings out some of the best people to kick off the summer season, and the offerings are huge...
 

The first week brings out...
Third Thursday ArtsWalk
Every Third Thursday on Water Street in Henderson attracts crowds of casual browsers
Las Vegas 51s AAA Baseball
Cashman Center, through - Sep 1
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Hotel, through - May 7
2008 Epicurean Affair
Flamingo Las Vegas May 1
Bandemonium Tour 2008
Mandalay Bay May 1
Bandemonium Tour 2008 features Menudo, NLT, V-Factory and GLOWB. Produced by Johnny Wright.
Bill Medley with Paul Revere & the Raiders
South Point Casino May 1 - 4
Legendary singer Bill Medley takes you back to the great era of The Righteous Brothers
Jordan Bluth at Thursday Night Live!
Henderson Events Center May 1 - Free
Variety Showcase
Suncoast Hotel May 1
Step back to the days of Ed Sullivan and The Colgate Hour and watch true vaudeville performances
Dierks Bentley w/ Bucky Covington
Red Rock Casino May 2
Juanes
Mandalay Bay May 2
Kenny Rogers
Orleans Hotel May 2 - 4
Mannheim Steamroller
Henderson Pavilion May 2
Maxxis Minimoto
Orleans Hotel May 2
Two-wheeled motorcross comes to Las Vegas.
My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy!
Suncoast Hotel May 2 - 4
Puddle of Mudd
Hard Rock Hotel May 2
The Breeders w/ Colur Revolt
Mandalay Bay May 2
Viva! - Tribute to Santana
Cannery Casino May 2
Yellow Brick Road - Pink Floyd Tribute
Boulder Station May 2
11th Annual Lei Day Festival
California Hotel May 3 & 4 Free
All Four Original Members of Asia
Mandalay Bay May 3
Belanova
Hard Rock Hotel May 3
Boney James
Boulder Station May 3
Farenheit
Courtyard at the District May 3 Free
Freedom Concert w/ Hannity & Friends featuring Lee Greenwood
Orleans Hotel May 3
George Jones
Buffalo Bill's Resort May 3
George Jones is an American country singer whose music spans more than six decades.
Las Vegas Speed Spectacular Weekend Nostalgia Night
Las Vegas Motor Speedway May 3
Lyrics Born
Mandalay Bay May 3
Lyrics Born is a successful alternative hip-hop band with several albums to their credit
Monster Energy Supercross Finals
Sam Boyd Stadium May 3
Rubber Stamp Roundup
Cashman Center May 3 & 4
Come see some of the greatest and newest products for the rubber stamp and scrapbooking industry.
The Las Vegas Speed Spectacular
Las Vegas Motor Speedway May 3 & 4
Nostalgia Funny Car racing, car show, live music.
War
Cannery Casino May 3
Latin Music Awards
Cashman Center May 4

The Second week has...
Cinco De Mayo Dance Party
Sam's Town May 5
Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Finals
Golden Nugget and Fremont Street Experience May 6 - 10
29th Annual San Gennaro Feast
Grand Canyon Shopping Center May 7 - 11
Calvin Brooks & Jeff Popp Duo at Thursday Night Live!
Henderson Events Center May 8 Free
Hit Parade - featuring Entertainers Direct from the Strip
Suncoast Hotel May 8
Tom Jones
MGM Grand May 8 - 21
Vegas Uncork'd - A Bon Appetit Epicurean Experience
Bellagio, Caesars, Wynn, Hard Rock, Lake Las Vegas May 8 - 11
Alicia Keys
MGM Grand May 9
Australian Bee Gees
South Point May 9 & 10
The Australian Bee Gees tribute show "Stayin' Alive"
Ballet Under the Stars
Henderson Pavilion May 9 Free
A Benefit for the Arts Featuring Nevada Ballet
Brad Garrett
Mirage May 9 & 10
Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi Tribute
Boulder Station May 9
Duran Duran
Hard Rock Hotel May 9 & 10
Eek-A-Mouse
Hard Rock Hotel May 9
Emerson Drive
Green Valley Ranch May 9
Etta James
Orleans Hotel May 9 - 11
She Wants Revenge w/ Be Your Own Pet, the Virgins and Switches
Mandalay Bay May 9
Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards
Whiskey Pete's May 9 & 10
Tower of Power
Suncoast Hotel May 9 - 11
West Coast Regional Finals Rodeo
South Point Casino May 9 & 10
ArtFest of Henderson
Henderson Events Center May 10 & 11
Celebrating Mother's Day - A Romantic Evening of Popera
Cannery Casino May 10
Daniel Tosh
Mandalay Bay May 10
FireHouse
Sunset Station May 10
Standing Room Only
Jazz in the Park featuring the Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Clark County Amphitheater May 10 Free
Kids Artistic Revue Dance Competition
Cashman Center May 10 & 11
Kids Artistic Revue is dedicated to making every competition a challenging and rewarding experience
LA Opportunidad Expo
Cashman Center May 10
Rush
Mandalay Bay May 10
Burt Bacharach
Las Vegas Hilton May 11

The third week includes...
An Evening with the Robert Cray Band
Mandalay Bay May 13
Dave Matthews Tribute Band
Mandalay Bay May 14
Blues Storm at Thursday Night Live!
Henderson Events Center May 15 Free
Daniel O'Donnell
Orleans Hotel May 15
Daniel O'Donnell has been performing and recording Irish music since 1983
Tracy Lawrence w/ special guest Randy Houser
Mandalay Bay May 15
Academy of Country Music Motorcycle Ride
Fremont Street Experience May 16 & 17
Breeders Invitational Cutting Horse Event
South Point Casino May 16 - 26 Free
Equestrian Event
Charo
South Point Casino May 16 & 17
Country Music Awards Week Celebration
Fremont Street Experience May 16 & 17
Dennis Miller
Orleans Hotel May 16 - 18
Dropkick Murphys
Hard Rock Hotel May 16
The Dropkick Murphys formed in 1996 as a way for close friends to get together and play music.
Eddie Money
Boulder Station May 16 & 17
ESPN Friday Night Fights
Thomas & Mack Center May 16
Main Event: Chris Byrd vs Shaun George
Guitars & Saxes 2008
Santa Fe Station May 16
Henderson Symphony Orchestra
Henderson Pavilion May 16 Free
Jay Leno
Mirage May 16 & 17
Jesse Cook
Henderson Events Plaza Amphitheatre May 16
Ricci Martin
Suncoast Hotel May 16 - 18
Enjoy an evening of nostalgia as Dean Martin's youngest son, Ricci Martin
Terry Fator
Las Vegas Hilton May 16 - 18
Trace Adkins
Sunset Station May 16
American Man Tour
Al Jarreau w/ Stanley Jordan's Trio
Cannery Casino May 17
Al Jarreau's unique vocal technique is one of the world's most enduring jazz styles
American Cheer Power World Series - Individuals
Cashman Center May 17
Come cheer on the best cheerleaders in the country
Atomic Punks
Santa Fe Station May 17
The Atomic Punks perform a tribute to the early David Lee Roth - Van Halen era.
Championship Off Road Racing
Primm Valley Resort May 17 - 18
Enjoy the thrill and excitement of these dirt loving vehicles as they navigate the off-road courses
HBO Boxing: "Night of The Rising Stars"
Buffalo Bill's Resort May 17
Featuring James Kirkland, Alfredo Angulo and Yuriokis Gamboa
Steve Dacri: Impossible Magic
SIX TABLES RESTAURANT May 17 - Nov 30
An International stage and television performer with unique magical talent
The Proclaimers
Four Queens Hotel May 17
43rd Academy of Country Music Awards
MGM Grand May 18
American Cheer Power - Coaches Conference
Cashman Center May 18 - 20

The fourth week will feature...
Apocalyptica
Mandalay Bay May 19
Original in every respect; Apocalyptica is a group of classically trained musicians from Finland.
Air Supply
Orleans Hotel May 22 - 25
David Copperfield
MGM Grand May 22 - Jun 11
Tribute to the Godfather of Soul
Mandalay Bay May 22
Blue Rodeo w/ Luke Doucet
Mandalay Bay May 23,
Dane Cook
Caesars Palace May 23 - 25
David Foster & Friends
Mandalay Bay May 23
Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Peter Cetera, Katharine McPhee, and more
David Sanborn
South Point Casino May 23
George Benson
Green Valley Ranch May 23
Hotel California
Suncoast Hotel May 23 - 25
Hotel California's "Salute to the Eagles"
Stephen Marley
Hard Rock May 23
The Police
MGM Grand May 23
TNT - AC/DC Tribute Band
Boulder Station May 23
Carlos Mencia
Palms Casino May 24
Hal Ketchum
Santa Fe Station May 24
Jay & the Americans, Badfinger
Cannery Casino May 24 Free
The Cannery Summer of Fun Kick Off
Jay Leno
Mirage May 24 & 25
Nightwish w/ Sonic Syndicate
Mandalay Bay May 24
Smokey Robinson
Whiskey Pete's May 24
Southern Blues Concert
Cashman Center May 24
Tahitian Dance Contests
Cox Pavilion May 24 & 25
Taylor Dayne
Green Valley Ranch May 24
The Cult
Hard Rock Hotel May 24
UFC 84: Penn vs. Sherk
MGM Grand May 24
Ultimate Fighting Championship
John Edward
Flamingo Las Vegas May 25
Las Vegas Bird Mart
Cashman Center May 25
Mindless Self Indulgence
Mandalay Bay May 25
Miriam Yeung
Mandalay Bay May 25
Robin Williams
MGM Grand May 25

The last week of May and into June will have...
Mesquite Amateur Golf Championship
Multiple Golf Courses and Events May 26 - 30
2nd Baile Privado
Texas Station May 29
Gary Allan
Mandalay Bay May 29 - 30
Latino Superstar Tribute
Texas Station May 29
Alpin Hong
Henderson Events Plaza May 30 Free
Comedian Robert Schimmel
Monte Carlo May 30 & 31
Debby Boone - Tribute to Rosemary Clooney
Suncoast Hotel May 30 - Jun 1
International Gem & Jewelry Show
Cashman Center May 30 - Jun 1
Ozomatli
Hard Rock May 30
Steven Wright
Orleans Hotel May 30 - Jun 1
Tony Rock
South Point Casino May 30 - Jun 1
Godsmack's Sully Erna
Hard Rock May 31
Hatebreed, Type O Negative w/ 3 Inches of Blood
Mandalay Bay May 31
Jagermeister Music Tour
Mark Chestnut
Cannery Casino May 31
Mosley vs. Judah
Mandalay Bay May 31
Volunteer Jam: Charlie Daniels Band, 38 Special & Shooter Jennings
Orleans Hotel May 31
XFA2 Extreme Fighting Association
Cox Pavilion May 31
Best In Show w/ John O'Hurley
Orleans Hotel Jun 1