HARRAH’s is giving the gift of theater this Mother’s Day.  Guests may get a free ticket to HATS! with the purchase of a regularly priced ticket for performances May 1 - 11.  Inspired by the fun-loving lifestyle encouraged by the Red Hat Society, HATS! is a 75- minute musical production that celebrates the journey of womanhood and encourages women to embrace life, sisterhood and growing older.

 

Recently recognized as a “celebrity hot spot” Strip House, inside PLANET HOLLYWOOD redefines the traditional steak house. Seen dining on just one night were: Bruce Willis, Actor, Max Martini, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jim Belushi, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tom Jones, Chuck Zito ,Simon Cowell, Mark McGrath and Fighter Joe Calzaghe  On another night, Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson were dining together. The two sat together in a corner booth, each sipping on a Shirley Temple.  Lohan also enjoyed lobster and fries.

 

The Strip House menu is designed to excite all the senses with prime cuts of beef charred to perfection, signature side dishes, an extensive wine list and the famed 24-layer chocolate cake.  Yes, I said, 24 layer chocolate cake!

 

After a successful run at the LUXOR, comedian-ventriloquist Ronn Lucas and his puppets Scorch, Buffalo Billy and Chuck have moved to The EXCALIBUR.  Lucas and his puppet troupe perform inside the Thunder From Down Under Showroom Tuesday – Sunday at 1 p.m. 

 

 

Cinco de Mayo celebrations are all over town - here are just a few. 

Cinco de Mayo Soccer Festival (all ages)
Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rafael Rivera Community Center, 2900 E. Stewart Ave., (702) 229-4600.
A day of fun for the whole family. Live entertainment included.
 

A Taste of Mexico Free Celebration (all ages)
Saturday, May 3, 1 to 4 p.m.
Stupak Community Center, 300 W. Boston Avenue, (702) 229-2488.
Bring the family to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with fun, food and prizes.
 

Grammy award-winning artist Kanye West performed his “Glow in the Dark Tour” at Red Rock Resort as it launched its 2008 summer outdoor concert series.  Rapper Lupe Fiasco as well as funk/rock group N.E.R.D. consisting of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley opened for West.  The 2008 summer concert series will feature a diverse lineup, starting with West and will include country music singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley on Friday, May 2. This is the second year that Red Rock Resort is hosting a summer concert series. Last year’s lineup included popular artists such as Nelly Furtado, Lauryn Hill, Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers

 

Steve Dacri’s “IMPOSSIBLE MAGIC,” debuts Saturday May 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the elegant, upscale restaurant, SIX TABLES, 2110 North Rampart.  This unique restaurant literally has only six tables!  The guest count is limited to no more than 30 people and the evening includes a tantalizing six-course gourmet meal prepared by world-renowned Master Chef Roland Levi from Belgium  At  $300 per person (plus tax) it is the highest priced ticket in Las Vegas.  Dinner is served on fine china, and champagne and port wine in crystal glassware. 

After dinner, the world’s greatest sleight-of-hand artist, Steve Dacri, presents the rarest form of magic before your eyes, “in your face and under your nose” And, just because you are watching up close, you’d think you’d be able to “catch” him.  Think again.  Dacri is known worldwide for his brilliant close-up magic.  Regis calls him “the fastest hands in the world.”  Johnny Carson, a connoisseur of the art of magic once said about Steve, “fantastic; the best magician I’ve ever seen.”  Merv always said, “He makes me so angry, I just can’t see how it happens right under my nose!”

 

Drinking and dancing takes over Hawaiian Tropic Zone restaurant in the Miracle Mile Shops at PLANET HOLLYWOOD as the bar and patio areas transform into Torrid nightclub every Wednesday through Saturday night. Torrid features drink specials, DJ spun music, go-go dancers, various celebrity hosts and DJ’s as well as a street-side patio at the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard.  There is no charge to attend Torrid.  Guests must be 21 or over. 

 

For the 11^th straight year, the region’s finest competitive eaters will converge at New York-New York Hotel for the highly anticipated Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship. The contest will be held Thursday, May 8 at 3 p.m. on the Brooklyn Bridge at NEW YORK -NEW YORK.  A special Heroes competition for charity will begin at 2:30 p.m. In 2007, Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif. won the Fourth of July contest, effectively ending former champion Takeru Kobayashi’s six-year reign. Chestnut set a new world record by downing 66 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Prior to Chestnut’s victory, the event had been won by Japanese competitors from 2000 to 2006. The event is an official qualifying round of the Nathan’s Famous worldwide hot dog eating circuit.  The winner will earn the right to represent the United States in the 92^nd Annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, July 4 in Coney Island, N.Y.  Interested competitors must be 18 years of age or older and need to pre-register at www.NathansFamous.com or by calling Shea Communications at (212) 627-5766. 

 

HAWAIIAN TROPIC, the prestigious, global sun care brand, will mark the 25^th Anniversary of its world-renowned Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Model Search, May 6-10, in Las Vegas.  Models from across the globe will represent their country at this year’s Final Model Search Competition hosted by the GOLDEN NUGGET.  This year’s competition appropriately will be themed Silver and Gold. Silver, representing the 25^th year of the model search, and gold honoring the host hotel, the GOLDEN NUGGET. The best models in the world will vie for the title of Miss Hawaiian Tropic International, as well as a share of $25,000 in cash plus prizes awarded to the Top 10.  Additionally, there will be cash and prizes awarded by sponsors Earthcam, Yamaha, artist Bill Mack and Bennett productions for future modeling and appearance contracts worth tens of thousands of dollars. 

       

Miss Hawaiian Tropic International 2007, Estonian Anna Naroznaja, will host the festivities along with celebrity judges and VIPs, before bequeathing her crown and passing on her duties to the next Hawaiian Tropic Model hopeful. The preliminary swimsuit contest will be held May 9 at 6 p.m. at The Tank, the GOLDEN NUGGET’s spectacular pool and 200,000-gallon shark aquarium, and will be open to the public.

       

All of the week’s events and activities lead up to the Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Final Model Search, May 10 at 8 p.m. It will be held on the Fremont Street Experience’s First Street Stage and will be spectacular, incorporating the lights from the Fremont Street Experience’s Viva Vision Lightshow and a live performance by the multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated band Everclear, including songs from their newly released album “The Vegas Years”. The competition will be filmed and a one-hour show will be broadcast this summer.

 

MGM GRAND has quite a line-up of headliners in May.

MAY 3 – BILLY CRYSTAL  One of the most versatile and prolific entertainers, he has found success in front of the camera, as a performer in film and television, and behind the scenes as a writer, director and producer.   Recently, Crystal was honored with the 2007 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington.  He also has won six Emmy Awards, six American Comedy Awards and seven Cable Ace Awards.

MAY 25 – ROBIN WILLIAMS  One of the most gifted actors and comedians of our time, Robin returns to the MGM Grand Garden Arena for a Memorial Day Weekend performance.  Academy Award-winner and Grammy winner, he began his career as a stand-up comedian and has created a repertoire of indelible characters, first in the hit series “Mork & Mindy” and then in numerous film roles.  In 1997, Williams received Academy and Screen Actors Guild awards for his performance in “Good Will Hunting,” having been previously nominated by the Academy for performances in “The Fisher King,” “Dead Poets Society,” and “Good Morning Vietnam.”  Williams’ many film roles include blockbuster comedies including “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “The Birdcage,” “Jumanji,” “Hook,” and “Night at the Museum”; darker roles in “Insomnia” and “One Hour Photo”; and the animated films “Aladdin,” “Robots,” and “Happy Feet.”  He co-starred with Steve Martin on stage in “Waiting for Godot,” directed by Mike Nichols.  Offstage, Williams recently took his fourth trip to the Middle East with the USO to entertain the troops. 

MAY 9 – ALICIA KEYES “As I Am” Tour with special guests Ne-Yo and Jordin Sparks.  Keys has won 11 Grammys and has sold a combined total of more than 40 million albums and singles worldwide.  Her most recent album, “As I Am,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and since its November 2007 release has sold more than 2.7 million copies. 

MAY 23 – THE POLICE  The Police have extended their North American tour.  In 2007 they thrilled millions of fans around the globe and their much heralded tour, which has sold more than 2.5 million tickets, garnered numerous accolades including “Major Tour of The Year.

Some of Las Vegas’ great veteran entertainers will perform free for seniors in a variety show co-sponsored by Clark County and SENIORS in ACTION at 2 p.m. Friday, May 9 at WINCHESTER CULTURAL CENTER, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Scheduled performers include performance organizer and singer, Renee Lee along with the Encore Dancers, dancers Sal Angelica and Lois Layne; the Lohan School of Shao Lin with Betty Ann Sabala, solo singers Greta Lorworth, Michel Martel, Jim Hodge, Ann McCormack, The Tambourine Four, vaudeville veteran Nancy Long and dancer Kitty Duarty.

 

Renee Lee, the event’s organizer, is a veteran performer on Broadway and currently performs professionally in Las Vegas. She has performed in the highest quality summer stock productions as well as on cruise ships.  Lee performed in “Hallelujah Hollywood” at the MGM Grand and was a principal in “Hello, Hollywood, Hello” at the MGM Grand in Reno.  She also was a principal performer in the “Folies Bergere” at the Tropicana Hotel, in “Hello, America” at the Desert Inn and in the production show “Love Over 40” in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev.

 

I was invited to the grand opening of Le GOLISTA, at 9500 S. Eastern, an Italian Trattorria that features a pizzeria, bakery and gelateria and is owned and operated by the creators of Zefferino Italian Restoriante and Tintoretto Bakery in the Grand Canal Shoppes at THE VENETIAN.  The wind was blowing wildly that day and although our dining was on the outside wrought iron patio, the exemplary delicious food and pastries warmed the shackles of our hearts. Executive Chefs Omero Bellu and Fracesco Schinu both have served as executive chefs at Zeffirino Italian Ristorante.  In addition to homemade Italian specialties, the restaurant offers a selection of panini, focaccia sandwiches and gourmet pizzas.  The international bakery features a selection of more than 30 homemade cookies and pastries made fresh daily and the gelateria offers 22 flavors of homemade gelato. The grand opening celebration partnered with the `I’m a Kid Foundation’ and matched 100 percent of the proceeds from the sales of their gourmet pizzas to the organization that is devoted to supporting children with medically related hair loss due to cancer, alopecias, AIDS or other ailments.  Le GOLISTA brings a taste of Italy to Henderson. Try it; you’ll really like it.

 

 

Q Magazine celebrated their 30^th anniversary at “Cheesecake and Crime” in Henderson.  My good friend Earl Shelton, who is managing director of the magazine, invited me, and I was curious enough to go. The place on Eastern is a very interesting bookstore consisting of crime novels.  They also make the most fabulous cheesecake in many designs. There was a raffle of business cards and, guess who won? Yes, it was me, and I won a monthly year’s supply of a 6-inch cheesecake. The exorbitant menu of cheesecakes will keep me tastefully trying many of them as the year goes by. Wow and yum, yum!

 

Phoenix, the ultimate rock experience featuring Jimmy Crespo (former lead guitarist of Aerosmith), kicks off Thursdays Live! at the LAS VEGAS HILTON.  Thursdays Live! features live entertainment in the Hilton Theater, Tempo Lounge and Shimmer Cabaret.  Performances are at 8 p.m. (doors open and pre-concert party at 7:15 pm.) Tickets are priced at $19.99 (inclusive. “Group Therapy” is presented every Thursday, 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.  After 10 p.m., the music continues with Def Tal DJ’s.

 

Suncoast Showroom:

May 2 - 4^th  My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m In Therapy   starring Steve Solomon
May 9^th - 11^th Tower of Power
May 16^th - 18^th  Dino, His Son Remembers starring Ricci Martin
May 30^th - June 1^st  Debbie Boone - A Tribute to Rosemary Clooney

 

Orleans Showroom:

 

Kenny Rogers May 2-4

Kenny is a prolific American country music singer, photographer, producer, songwriter, actor and businessman.  He has charted more than 70 hit singles across various music genres and topping the country and pop album charts for more than 420 individual weeks in the Unites States alone.  Two of Kenny’s albums, The Gambler and Kenny are featured in the About.com poll of The 200 Most Influential Country Albums Ever.  He was voted the Favorite Singer of all-time in a 1986 joint poll by readers of both USA Today and People Magazine. 

 

THE SOARING Voice of ETTA JAMES  May 9 – 11

With a slimmed down look, a rejuvenated stage show and celebrating an incredible five decades as a recording artist, music legend Etta James has seen it all.  In a life lived to the fullest, she has experienced all the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the pain and then, reinvention and renewal.  With a range of material that would render most singers helpless, the truly legendary Etta James is one of the great forces in American Music having received two Grammy Awards, and a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award.  She is also a W.C. Handy Blues Foundation honoree, with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

 

 

Dennis Miller May 16^th - 18^th

 

AIR SUPPLY May 22^nd – 25^th  

 

With Summer just around the corner, fabulous pools have opened and

 

Fun is the name of the game at Las Vegas pools.          

 

The FLAMINGO GO pool is one of the premier pools in Las Vegas, The intimate, adult-only pool offers European sunbathing (bare) and unique, lavish cabana services. GO Pool cabanas feature amenities such as plasma televisions, X Box 360, mini-fridges, exotic frozen fruit platters, wireless internet access, and a personal server. The sprawling pool is complete with a waterfall, grotto, lap swim area, and waterslides.

 

Visitors to the LAGOON POOL will find guest DJ’s, floating beer pong, bikini bull riding, inflatable twister, cabana rental, and pool-side gaming tables. Currently open  9 a.m. –7 p.m. and starting Memorial Day 8a.m. – 8p.m.

 

IMPERIAL PALACE

 

 

Party poolside, Pacific Island style at the Imperial Luau.

The sights, sounds, flavors, and fun of the islands meet poolside at the Imperial Palace’s Imperial Luau.  The Shangri-la pool is transformed into a Pacific-Island paradise each Tuesday and Saturday at 7pm through Sep. 30. . When the sun sets the action begins as a cast of ten native island beauties host a traditional Hawaiian luau with live music, traditional costumes, original choreography, and a fire-eating finale. Tickets to the Imperial Luau are $39.95 (plus tax & fees) for general admission (includes fake flower lei, and one free drink) and $59.95 (plus tax & fees) for VIP admission (includes preferred seating, souvenir glass, all you can drink beverages, and a fresh flower lei).  Luau guests are greeted with Hawaiian leis and treated to an all-you-can-eat experience.  The island-themed cuisine features a roasted pig, seafood, an extensive dessert bar and many other Island favorites.

 

Rio All-Suites Hotel
Inspired by the pristine beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the Rio pool is a lush tropical paradise complete with a sand-bottom pool and waterfall.  As the summer months heat up in Las Vegas, so does the pool action at the Rio. Calor, the Rio’s signature, weekly pool party is back with a guest DJ series and drink specials.

 

CAESARS PALACE
Guests may choose from three distinctive pool experiences when soaking up the sun.

The Temple Pool is a circular pool decorated with fine marble, granite and rimmed with ancient mosaics. 

 

The Neptune Pool is a rectangular heated pool, ideal for lap swimming, and has three lavish cabanas available for rental. Each of the cabanas is equipped with a stocked refrigerator, television, and furnished with plush furniture for beverage and snack service. 

 

The Venus Pool Club is for guests looking for a sexier pool experience. The European sunbathing area (bare) offers well equipped cabanas, oversized chaise lounges, air-conditioned bars with flat screen TV’s, frozen towel service, cooling Evian face spritzers and body massages. Admission to Venus Pool Club is free Wednesday through Friday and Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday).  On Saturday, holidays and special events, admission is $20 per person.

 

PARIS Las Vegas

 

 
The intimate pool is surrounded by manicured French gardens and sits adjacent to the stunning replica of the Eiffel Tower. From 10a.m. – 5 p.m. Paris cabanas come equipped with unlimited local calling, radio/CD players, flat screen televisions, rafts, and several other poolside essentials. 

 

BALLY’s  
 The palm tree-fringed pool area features a heated swimming pool, whirlpool spa, private cabana rental and poolside beverage service.

 

The Club inside CANNERY CASINO & HOTEL hosts seven-time Grammy winner and crossover legend, Al Jarreau on Saturday, May 17.  Jarreau will be joined by special guest, Stanley Jordan’s Trio. Tickets start at $24.95 plus tax and fees

 

Everyone IS Invited to Doolittle Unity Fest May 17 to enjoy the outdoor 16^th Annual Unity Fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the DOOLITTLE COMMUNITY CENTER, located at 1950 North J St. The festival will offer a “Taste of West Las Vegas” food court, bike show, carnival games, vendor booths, jump houses, demonstrations, contests, health and wellness information, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, special guest performers, and free open swimming. Admission and activities are free. Refreshments will be available for sale. The Doolittle Pool will be open for free swimming from 1 to 4 p.m. Swimsuits will be required. No cutoffs or other swimsuit substitutes will be permitted.

Many area organizations will offer displays and information on services and community programs. Doolittle Community Center is hosting the event in partnership with the West Las Vegas Arts Center, West Las Vegas Library and Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. CIRCUS CIRCUS Adventuredome is sponsoring a raffle for a $250 birthday package to be awarded to someone who attends the Unity Fest.

 

 

Clark County Parks and Recreation welcomes national acts for its 14^th year of the free Jazz in the Park concert series located at the CLARK COUNTY AMPHITHEATER, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, at 8 p.m. May 10 and June 7 and 21. The Las Vegas Jazz Society will sponsor a yet unnamed local group for the May 31 concert. Seating for those with picnic baskets, blankets and low-back chairs will begin at 7 p.m.  Food vendors also will be available on site. Parking is free.

         

Legendary comedian and Las Vegas resident, Fay McKay, has passed on to the great stage above.  McKay made numerous comic recordings, but the one that will continue to be requested around Christmas time is her “12 Daze of Christmas.”

 

Congrats to Nelson Sardelli, his committee and the vast array of local stars for the excellent benefit show they put on for the ailing Norman Kaye of the famed Mary Kaye Trio.