Spring and fall are my favorite times of the year. The weather is perfect, and one gets filled with a sense of renewal. The summers get long in Vegas…you just get tired of the heat all the time. The energy is just sapped out of your body every time you walk out of doors. So when the fall comes, it is exceedingly uplifting. In Las Vegas, fall usually also means big business. It is time for the busy convention season to begin, and the football season is under way, hockey is getting started, too. Casinos are usually very busy this time of year, and the economy usually booms…but the economy is very bad right now…it’s bad all over the country, and when times are tough, a lot of people decide that a Vegas trip just isn’t in their best interest. The town has suffered, and there have been a lot of layoffs…most people are hoping that the economy will adjust itself after the election…right now, we seem a bit directionless as a country, and that lack of direction is causing a lot of unrest. We will still have our high points in the month; Halloween is always a big celebration. There have been some big changes in the shows recently, but most of the shows have dug in a prepared for the season, but there are always a few adjustments going on.

The Criss Angel/Cirque du Soleil show “Believe,” has pushed its opening back…again (I think that I mentioned that this would probably happen.) The new official opening will be Halloween night—which should actually be a good night for them, and it will be very appropriate as well since the show pays a lot of homage to Harry Houdini, who passed away on that same night. The previews will continue as scheduled, and the push back will simply increase the number of preview showings.

Disney Theatrical Productions and Mandalay Bay are proud to announce the award-winning Broadway phenomenon THE LION KING coming to the Mandalay Bay Theatre May 2, 2009 with preview performances beginning April 20, 2009. This sit-down production will join the six other highly successful companies of THE LION KING around the world in New York, London, Hamburg, Paris, Tokyo and Fukuoka. Mandalay Bay’s production of THE LION KING will be virtually identical to the other companies seen around the globe and will be staged with all of the same spectacular music, sets, and costumes that have made it a worldwide phenomenon.

The Golden Nugget signed singer/impressionist/entertainer Gordie Brown to a multi-year contract to headline at the property. Brown, who is currently touring North America with Celine Dion, will begin performances in February 2009, in the property’s Showroom, which will be renamed in his honor, The Gordie Brown Showroom.  Brown will perform five nights a week with a four-piece band. He is well known for his amazing comedy and vast repertoire of celebrity impressions such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson and Sylvester Stallone, as well as Las Vegas icons like Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis Jr.

The Mirage announced details of a dynamic redesign to its signature Volcano.  Known the world over for its iconic Strip-front feature, The Mirage has joined forces with legendary Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, Indian tabla sensation Zakir Hussain and Fountains of Bellagio design firm WET, to create an all-new audio/visual spectacle.  The top-to-bottom overhaul is the final step in the property’s ongoing transformation and is scheduled for completion late 2008. The Volcano first erupted in 1989. 

The 5^th Annual Meatball Awards Presentation will acknowledge and Honor those talented Entertainers, Members of the Press, Radio, Television Media, Chefs, Sommeliers and Entrepreneurs, etc. that made Las Vegas into what is now – the “Entertainment Capitol of the World.” Despite its comedic name, the Meatball’s Award recognizes those performers and entertainers that serve as the backbone to the entertainment industry. The early years of Las Vegas saw a collection of singers, comedians and musicians who painted a historical canvas for what we now call “Vintage Las Vegas.” This year, Executive Producer - Grant Griffin of Griffin Productions Group will open new avenues of awards to an ethnically diverse group of performers and entertainers worthy of recognition in media broadcasting, celebrity, and lifetime achievement. The 5^th Annual Meatball Awards will take place at The Plaza Hotel & Casino (across from downtown Fremont Street) in the Main Showroom theater on Sunday afternoon, October 5^th with doors opening and seating beginning at 3 PM.

This October 25, the Sirens of TI will be celebrating its fifth anniversary – a milestone that most Las Vegas shows don’t reach in this day and age of constant reinvention In 2003, the Battle of Buccaneer Bay at Treasure Island was revamped into the Sirens of TI by Emmy award-winning director and creator of High School Musical Kenny Ortega.  This rebirth was part of the domino effect that prodded many Las Vegas resorts to update their properties into venues that once again catered to the 21 and over crowd.  As the brand ambassadors for TI’s revamped image, the Sirens offer the best free show on the Las Vegas Strip and perform to thousands nightly.  Five years and still going strong, visitors to TI begin to line up an hour in advance of the show to get the best spot to feel the heat from the show’s famous fire explosions.

Southern Nevada Pug Rescue (SNPR), a non-profit organization, will host its seventh annual Pug-O-Rama Picnic on Sunday, October 26, from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. at Hills Park in Summerlin. The Halloween-themed event will continue to feature costume contests, prizes, raffles, and a silent auction. Pug owners are encouraged to dress up their Pugs, pack a picnic, and enjoy a few hours socializing with other Pug parents. Pug-O-Rama Picnic tickets are available now for $10 per person, $7 for children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Check or money order should be made to SNPR and sent to P.O. Box 20875, Las Vegas, NV 89112, along with your name, number of guests and contact number. Tickets will be sold at the door for $15. Pug-O-Rama helps SNPR to raise funds for spay, neuter, shots, exams, and other medical necessities that take place when a rescue Pug is brought into the organization. For more information, visit rescuepugs.com.

Stagecoach Depot’s haunted corn maze will open in Glendale on October 3^rd. Nevada's largest Halloween festivity features a humongous corn maze in the crop circle style of a fire truck and it runs from Friday, Oct. 3-31 and ends with a barbeque and entertainment. The admission prices are $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under includes entrance to the haunted corn maze. Bring a can of food to donate to the poor and receive a dollar off admission prices.  The corn maze theme was born out of the April 10th fire that wiped out the Broken Spoke Saloon and Restaurant. It reads Thank You! Firefighters. It’s a 35-minute drive north of North Las Vegas off of I-15. There is plenty of parking. This is the fifth year that the event is taking place.

The Fourth annual Vegoose Music Festival has been cancelled. The main problem was the drop in attendance. The first year that the festival played, around 72,000 people attended. In the next two years, attendance dropped to below half of that.

The Second Annual Pure Aloha Fall Festival will be presented by Vizzun Entertainment at the Cannery Casino & Hotel.  The three-day festival runs Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14 and will be held at the Club, an indoor/outdoor festival venue located at the Cannery Casino & Hotel. The event includes concerts from popular Hawaiian and Polynesian acts and daytime festivals that bring a little bit of the Hawaiian homeland to Las Vegas.

For the 14^th year, a medieval kingdom will take over Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset Road, with lavishly costumed knights, knaves, fine ladies and wenches as Clark County Parks and Recreation presents the annual Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival, Oct. 12-14. Several stages will feature entertainment with costumed performers presenting more than 50 shows per day along with historical re-enactments, jousting tournaments, medieval pageantry and more than 100 artisans – including blacksmiths, stained glass designers, jewelers, wood workers, toy makers, perfume blenders, stone carvers and sword, dagger and armor craftsman. Authentic food, from fish and chips to an English feast, also will be available as well as beer and ales.

Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, The Killers and David Spade will headline the 13th annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert, presented by Genworth Financial. The event, benefiting underserved children, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Wynn Las Vegas and begins at 6:30 p.m. Several other top performers and surprise guests will be added to the stellar roster. Grammy award-winning producer, arranger and composer David Foster will return for his 13th year as musical director. The past 12 Grand Slam events have raised more than $70 million for charity. For more information, please contact The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation at (702) 227-5700 or visit www.agassifoundation.org.

Fright Dome takes over The Adventuredome at Circus Circus beginning October 3^rd.  This season of fright, not even the sky is safe.  Drop Demons are the latest addition to the already horrifying experience known as Fright Dome, ranked 4^th Scariest Haunted Attraction in the country by AOL. Multiple Drop Demons will unexpectedly fall from the sky and torment passers by.  Dressed in professionally designed costumes and intricate masks as they descend from the ceiling, these flights of horror will induce blood-curdling screams from all that they encounter.  In addition to the Drop Demons, Fright Dome also will add new attractions such as a terror-filled Wax Museum, a haunted 4D Special FX Theater and the haunted house, Killer Clowns in 3D.   Fright Dome will offer five enhanced haunted houses, including all new Cell Block 13, Chainsaw Massacre, Morgue of Misery, Cavern of The Living Dead and the brand new Killer Clowns in 3D. Three spine tingling ride films, four extreme scare zones plus rides and attractions.  Pitch black and fog filled, Fright Dome will set a chilling atmosphere with the dramatic Drop Demons, roaming scare monsters, high-powered strobes, multi-colored lasers and eerie sound effects.

Halloween is always an interesting day in Las Vegas. Most available venues will host some sort of costumed ball—usually having to do with some sort of sexual content, and the more outrageous the better. There are a couple of Fetish and Fantasy balls, several Erotic balls, and the Pimp an’ Ho ball, of course. It’s a strange night and not one for the timid. It will continue to be a huge party weekend in Las Vegas. Vegas continues to prove that there might not be a better city in which to celebrate Hallow’s Eve. Of course, one sure highlight will be the 42^nd annual Beaux Arts Ball, a huge costume bash which will help raise money for the Golden Rainbow Foundation. Studio 54 always goes above and beyond on Halloween with a whole week of parties…be sure not to miss this year! After all, it is Halloween in Las Vegas… Freakling Brothers, the creators of Las Vegas' premier haunted attractions, will terrify visitors again this year as it celebrates its 32^nd anniversary in Las Vegas. By concentrating on primal fears, relying on the power of live performers, and employing the art of theatrical illusion, Freakling Brothers will once again frighten yet delight thousands of Las Vegas' bravest thrill seekers! The haunted attractions are scattered throughout the Vegas area, so there will always be one within close proximity.

…And not to be outdone, Madame Tussauds’ is going to have live characters as well. Freddy Kruger has moved to Las Vegas from Elm Street. So has Crystal Lake's unstoppable monster Jason Voorhees and Leatherface, toting his chainsaw from Texas. The three most frightening horror movie characters in Hollywood history are now scaring guests at the new "Chamber of Horrors, Live" experience at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Characters of Freddy (A Nightmare On Elm Street), Jason (Friday The 13th) and Leather Face (Texas Chain Saw Massacre) will be portrayed with special effects and live actors to create the ultimate in scare maze experiences. Guests will walk through a number of themed environments where they should expect the unexpected!

And November 2^nd is the end of Daylight Savings time (fall back), and the 31^st is Nevada Day and Halloween.

October also brings hockey back to Las Vegas with the opening of the season with the Las Vegas Wranglers.

In spite of the economy, however, there is a ton of stuff going on.

The first week of the month brings in…
David Copperfield
MGM Grand
Aug 21 - Oct 1
UNLV Football
Sam Boyd
Stadium Aug 30 - Nov 22
Band Battle for Bite
Mandalay Bay Oct 2
Chicago
MGM Grand Oct 2 - Oct 15
Indian National Finals Rodeo
South Point Oct 2 - Oct 5
Las Vegas Bikefest 2008
Cashman Center & Fremont Street Experience Oct 2 - Oct 5
Acoustic Alchemy
Santa Fe
Station Oct 3
Cherry Poppin Daddies
Four Queens Oct 3
Dana Carvey
Orleans Hotel
Oct 3 - Oct 5
Detroit All Stars
Eastside Cannery Casino Oct 3 - Oct 4
Hollywood All Stars
Cannery Casino Oct 3
Mindless Self Indulgence
Mandalay Bay Oct 3
Sheena Easton
South Point Oct 3 - Oct 4
The Vegas Exchange
Aruba Hotel Oct 3 - Oct 5
Beach Boys
Buffalo Bill's
Oct 4
Chelsea Handler
Palms Casino Oct 4
Disney Playhouse Live!
Orleans
Hotel Oct 4 - Oct 5
Norm MacDonald
Mandalay Bay Oct 4
Ray Romano & Kevin James
Mirage Oct 4 - Oct 5
Santana w/ the Salvador Santana BandMGM Grand Oct 4
The Guess Who
Cannery Casino Oct 4

The second week of the month is
insanely busy with…
Bette Midler
Caesars Palace
Oct 9 - Dec 2
Fabulous Thunderbirds
Four Queens Oct 9
Gavin DeGraw
Hard Rock Hotel
Oct 9
Henry Rollins Spoken Word
Mandalay Bay Oct 9
Las Vegas Wranglers Professional
Hockey
Orleans Hotel Oct 9 - Apr 4
Rock Band Live w/ Dashboard
Confessional, Panic at the Disco, More . . .
Hard Rock Oct 9
BJ Thomas
Santa Fe Station Oct 10
Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Orleans Hotel Oct 10 - Oct 12
Jay Leno
Mirage Oct 10 - Oct 11
Las Vegas Renaissance Festival
Sunset Park Oct 10 - Oct 12
Linda Eder
Suncoast Hotel Oct 10 - Oct 12
Pure Aloha Fall Festival & Concert
Cannery Casino Oct 10 - Oct 12
Sara Bareilles
Hard Rock Hotel Oct 10
South Point Futurity Cutting Horse Event
South Point Casino Oct 10 - Oct 20
Starship starring Mickey Thomas
Las Vegas Hilton Oct 10
Tony Orlando
South Point Casino Oct 10 - Oct 12
US Open of Supercross
MGM Grand Oct 10 - Oct 11
Viva! - Tribute to Santana
Eastside Cannery Oct 10 - Oct 11
Yngwie Malmsteen with ANJ
Mandalay Bay Oct 10
Foghat
Sunset Station Oct 11
John Edwards
Flamingo Oct 11
Kings of Leon w/ special guests We
Are Scientists and The Stills
Hard Rock Oct 11
New Kids on the Block
Mandalay Bay Oct 11
Santogold w/ Mates of State and Low vs Diamond
Mandalay Bay Oct 11
Tony Orlando
South Point Casino Oct 11
Wynonna
Buffalo Bill's Oct 11
Amateur Arenacross World Finals
MGM Grand Oct 12
L.A. Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings
Thomas & Mack Center Oct 12
Las Vegas Philharmonic: Israel @ 60 Gala Concert
University of Nevada Las Vegas Oct 12
Lowrider Magazine Show
Cashman Center Oct 12
New Found Glory w/ A Day to
Remember, Four Year Strong, More . . .
Mandalay Bay Oct 12

The third week has…
Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitalsfor Children Open
TPC Summerlin Oct 13 - Oct 19
Terry Fator
Las Vegas Hilton
Oct 13 - Oct 15
The Academy Is . . . W/ We The Kings, Carolina Liar, & Hey Monday
Mandalay Bay Oct 14
Lee Brice
South Point Casino Oct 15 - Oct 16
Angels and Airwaves
Mandalay Bay Oct 16
Wayne Newton
MGM Grand Oct 16 - Oct 22
America's Best Dance Crew
Orleans Hotel Oct 17
Bill Medley with Paul Revere &
the Raiders
South Point Oct 17 - Oct 19
David Brighton - Tribute to David Bowie
Cannery Casino Oct 17 - Oct 18
Jay Leno
Mirage Oct 17 - Oct 18
Jay Mohr
Orleans Hotel Oct 17 - Oct 19
Justin Timberlake & Friends
Planet Hollywood Oct 17
Lez Zeppelin
Sunset Station Oct 17
Mary J. Blige
Palms Casino Oct 17
Michael John - Tribute to Billy Joel
Eastside Cannery Casino Oct 17 - Oct 18
Randy Travis
Texas Station Oct 17
Renee Taylor & Joe Bologna
Suncoast Oct 17 - Oct 19
Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert
Buffalo Bill's Resort Oct 18
Cheech & Chong - Light Up America
Palms Casino Resort Oct 18
Crossroads of the West Gun Show
Cashman Center Oct 18 - Oct 19
Freestyle Explosion
Orleans Hotel Oct 18
Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band
MGM Grand Oct 18
Joe Jackson
Green Valley Ranch Oct 18
Lez Zeppelin
Santa Fe Station Oct 18
Set It Off Dance Competition
Cashman Center Oct 18
War
Eastside Cannery Oct 18
Gym Class Heroes & the Roots
Mandalay Bay Oct 19
K-9 Metro Trials
Orleans Hotel Oct 19 – Free

The fourth week includes:
Elton John - The Red Piano
Caesars Palace Oct 22 - Nov 9
Craig Ferguson
MGM Grand Oct 23 - Oct 29
DevilDriver w/ SNOT, Stright Line Stitch & Instict of Aggression
Mandalay Bay Oct 23
David Spade
Planet Hollywood Oct 24 - Oct 25
Debbie Reynolds
South Point Casino Oct 24 - Oct 26
Dennis Miller
Orleans Hotel Oct 24 - Oct 26
Flogging Molly
Palms Casino Oct 24
Fred Travelena
Suncoast Hotel Oct 24 - Oct 26
Freda Payne - Tribute to Ella
Fitzgerald
Cannery Casino Oct 24 - Oct 25
Jack Ingram
Green Valley Ranch Oct 24
Las Vegas Home & Outdoor Living Show
Cashman Center Oct 24 - Oct 26
Limey Bar Stewards
Eastside Cannery Oct 24 - Oct 25 - Free
Los Enanitos Verdes
Mandalay Bay Oct 24
Ray Price
Santa Fe Station Oct 24
Championship Off-Road Racing
Primm Valley Oct 25 - Oct 26
Chiodos & Silverstein, Escape
the Fate & special guests
Mandalay Bay Oct 25
Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band
MGM Grand Oct 25
Slaughter
Sunset Station Oct 25
Sound Tribe Sector 9
Hard Rock Oct 25

The last part of the month and into November will have:
All Time Low w/ Mayday Parade, the
Maine & Every Avenue
Mandalay Bay Oct 29
AC Delco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct 30, 2008 - Nov 2
Beaux Arts Ball 2008
MGM Grand Oct 30
Blenheim Equisports
South Point Casino Oct 30 - Nov 2 - Free
Engelbert Humperdinck
Orleans Hotel Oct 30 - Nov 2
Las Vegas NHRA Nationals
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct 30 - Nov 2
Tom Jones
MGM Grand Oct 30 - Nov 12
2008 PBR World Finals
Thomas & Mack Center Oct 31 - Nov 9
Apocalyptica
Mandalay Bay Oct 31
Black Diamond - Kiss Tribute Band
Cannery Casino Oct 31 - Nov 1
Cowboy Mouth
Four Queens Oct 31
Maxwell
Palms Casino Oct 31
Next Movement
Eastside Cannery Oct 31
Rodney Carrington
MGM Grand Oct 31 - Nov 9
Sha Na Na
South Point Oct 31 - Nov 2
Fabulous Festival
Orleans Hotel Nov 1
Hiroshima
Santa Fe Station Nov 1
Patti LaBelle
Buffalo Bill's Nov 1
The Faint
Mandalay Bay Nov 2