ICONIC COMEDY DUO CHEECH & CHONG TO PERFORM AT THE PALMS

The infamous comedy duo Cheech & Chong will bring laughter to The Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. These two classic comedians will reunite as part of their first tour in 25 years, Light Up America. Tickets are $45, $60 and $75, call 702-474-4000,

Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong first hit the LA comedy scene in the early 70s and immediately won over audiences with their wacky routines which captured the free-spirited attitude of the times.  Some of their most well-known routines were "Earache My Eye," "Basketball Jones" and "Sister Mary Elephant." The duo released nine albums between 1972 and 1985, earning them four Grammy nominations and a huge cult following.

The counterculture heroes decided to bring their comedy to the big screen in 1978 with their first of eight films, Up in Smoke. The movie was an enormous success, grossing more than $100 million, making it the top grossing comedy of the year.

GOLD SPIKE DOWNTOWN REMODELS

Maybe you never even heard of the small Gold Spike hotel and casino downtown next to the closed Lady Luck property, but it was a totally seedy joint.  Stephen Siegel bought it for $25 million last January.  He's in the process of transforming the place and one area is remodeled.  The popcorn ceilings with decades of cigarette smoke are gone, mirrored pillars and walls now have a light-brown, sandstone brick finish, there's new carpet, tan-textured tile walkways, and large, flat-screen televisions hanging from the ceiling.  A striking change is natural light pouring in from the outside.

Future plans include: removing the existing bar and replacing it with a larger, sports-themed bar; installing a race and sports book; replacing the old Gold Spike Restaurant; and finally renovating the property's approximately 110 hotel rooms.  Siegel says the entire project could be completed by the first quarter of 2009.

Siegel also owns the two-story Travel Inn motel next door so he can tie the whole area together.

OSMOND BROTHERS RETURN TO THE ORLEANS SHOWROOM

The Osmond Brothers, Jay, Jimmy, Merrill and Wayne, have been performing in front of worldwide audiences for 50 years.  They will headline the 827-seat Orleans Showroom, Sept. 26-28 at 8 p.m.  Tickets are priced from $29.95, call 702-365-7075.

In 1971, combined sales from the Osmond Brothers' and Donny's releases garnished nine gold records.  Since embarking on their prestigious recording career, the Osmonds have sold more than 77 million records and have accrued 47 platinum and gold records.   

In 1982, The Osmonds changed their musical direction and started singing country music.  Their transition from pop to country music proved to be very successful.       

Jimmy, the youngest member of the Osmond family, has accumulated six gold records, one platinum record, and two gold albums as a solo artist. Before age 15, he had developed and supervised most of the Osmond's merchandising business.  Soon after, he launched a successful advertising agency that handled production services and campaigns for larger corporations such as Yamaha and Coca-Cola.  In 1999, Jimmy was honored by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce as one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans.

Merrill is now an established solo artist.  He has received two People's Choice Awards, four No. 1 Billboard hits and two Grammy Award nominations. 

'WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY' TO PERFORM AT THE HENDERSON PAVILION

The improv comedy show, Whose Live Anyway, will perform at the Henderson Pavilion, located at 200 S. Green Valley Parkway, on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices for this show range from $25 to $45, call 702-267-4TIX (4849) or visit www.HendersonLive.com.

Whose Live Anyway is a 90-minute performance complete with improvised comedy and song, generally based on audience suggestions. The touring show stars comics Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Chip Esten, and Jeff Davis, all of which have appeared on a version of the Emmy Nominated television program, Whose Line Is It Anyway, at one time or another.

ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPERS CELEBRATE STEVE WYRICK'S 1000TH SHOW

Magician Steve Wyrick with his own theater and show at Planet Hollywood teamed up with the "A" Team of Orange County Choppers to commemorate his 1000th performance of Real Magic.  A one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle called the SW1000 Chopper, was unveiled and presented to Wyrick. The entire building of the bike, as well as the unveiling, was filmed for a one-hour episode of TLC's, American Chopper.

BERTIE HIGGINS AND ROCK BAND ANTHEM PERFORM AT TEXAS STATION

Texas Station in North Las Vegas has transformed Club Armadillo into the new South Padre with free entertainment acts weekly.  In addition to the new name, South Padre's exterior bar opens up for customers to see lounge entertainment taking place inside the venue.

International recording star Bertie Higgins livens up the stage every Friday and Saturday night with his island paradise sounds from 7 to 9:30 p.m. He is well-known for the hit song Key Largo that reached No. 1 in the nation and went on to become an international sensation. Other Higgins' hits include Casablanca, Just Another Day in Paradise and Pirates and Poets. For the past several years, Higgins has toured with his group The Band of Pirates.

Taking the stage late-night every Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. is Anthem, the five-piece rock band hailing from Los Angeles.  They perform classic rock anthems from 1970 to 1979. The show is a multi-media experience, running in synch with video footage of the original artists displayed on the South Padre walls, historical images from the 70s and music videos.

ARTIST TO PAINT FOR THE PUBLIC DURING ART EXPO AT MANDALAY BAY

When Art Expo comes to Mandalay Bay Sep. 18-21, one acclaimed award-winning artist, Sergey Cherep will be painting for the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-3 p.m.  He'll be in Booth 1506.

Cherep, who among his other accolades and honors received the Muse Award for "Best in Oil Painting" at the 2nd International ARTV Awards, which were held in Las Vegas and broadcast on the NBC-Bravo TV network  in 2007, will be filmed as he paints for an upcoming art reality TV show.  Cherep will paint four small canvases each day, which will be available for sale at the completion of his daily live demonstrations.

Cherep, a professor at the Accademia del Verbanzo in Italy, is no stranger to that kind of painting pace.  He normally paints one to seven paintings per day. Cherep's work is exhibited extensively in the United States as well as in several European galleries, Australia, and in his home country of Russia. He is involved in numerous charitable causes and did a duet painting for charity with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman in 2001. Cherep will be donating a 12 x 18 framed painting titled Sunflowers to be auctioned off for charity at Art Expo.

QUICK CLIPS

Events

The annual downtown BikeFest with a Vendor Village, events and competitions will be held Oct. 2-5.  The location for Las Vegas BikeFest registration has changed to the new Grand Events Center at the Golden Nugget. There are four registration packages.

The third annual BalloonaPalooza will be held again in North Las Vegas, Sept. 19-21, at Craig Ranch Regional Park.  The free event will be held from 5-10 p.m. on Sept. 19, and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 20 and 21 with the Balloon Glow beginning at 7 p.m. on those two days, weather permitting.  The festival will include an Everclear concert, live entertainment from more than 25 acts, and a carnival.

Miscellaneous

Binion's downtown on Fremont Street has opened the addition of Benny's Bullpen Sports Bar & Cigar Lounge, a new stylish saloon where Monday Night Football can be enjoyed.

Magician Criss Angel's new date to start preview shows is Sept. 26.

Foreigner, the rock band that was formed in New York City in 1976 and has sold more than 50 Million albums worldwide, will headline in Primm, Nev., at Terrible's Star of the Desert Concert Venue at Buffalo Bill's on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 .pm.  Rocker Mick Jones leads the six-person group. The band's latest album titled No End in Sight: The Very Best of Foreigner was released this summer on July 15.

The Guess Who will perform at The Club inside the Cannery in North Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 4.  Canada's first international rock superstars are still going strong 40 years after their formation.  Tickets start at $14.95, call 702-617-5585 or 866-287-4643.

The Las Vegas Tenors, comprised of Bill Fayne, Teddy Davey and Bobby Black, will be singing the National Anthem on national television for the NASCAR Craftsmen Series Truck Race, Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  The Tenors normally appear at the Las Vegas Hilton, Suncoast and South resorts.

BODIES...The Exhibition now at the Luxor recently received an ancient blessing at 7:30 a.m. from Buddhist monks on the 13 whole-body specimens inside the brand-new display.  The purpose of the blessing is to inform the spirits that their physical bodies are not being punished, but rather being used for educational purposes and that the modern era allows their bodies to be preserved in a respectful manner.

The legendary House of Lords Steak House at the Sahara now offers a special $75 Dusk & Dark Dinner for Two, which includes a first course, a main course and dessert.  It is available from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.   If you choose this special menu from now through Sept. 30, you will be entered to win two tickets to the Sahara's upcoming brand new show - Raw Talent Live.

The CineVegas Film Festival and the Springs Preserve will host a special screening of the comedy Diminished Capacity starring Matthew Broderick as a newspaper editor on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Springs Preserve's outdoor amphitheater. General admission tickets are $10 each, and a "Dinner and a Movie" package is $25.

Football

The Las Vegas Hilton kicked off its free weekly Football Central parties on Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. in the Hilton Theater with all the games showing on 11 giant HDTV screens including the featured game on a 15' X 20' one.  There are weekly and monthly drawings.  Food and drink specials include $1 hot dogs and $2 20-ounce Miller Beer.

Wine Tastings

Roy's Las Vegas restaurant near the Strip on Flamingo near Paradise has a Waina Hui (wine club) that offers monthly gatherings to sample wines and Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine.  Tastings are held the third Friday from 5-6:30 p.m. and include an appetizer to pair with wine. Each tasting is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  The next tasting is Sept. 19 as Shaune Randall from J. Lohr Winery conducts a Cabernet Symposium about California Cabernets.  Call 702-691-2053 to make your reservation.

Sunset & Vines in the MonteLago Village Resort at Lake Las Vegas was recently recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine with an Award of Excellence.

This Tuscan-vineyard haven for oenophiles has a vast 15-page wine list with about 70 wines by the glass and cuisine. A number of interesting wine programs are offered including a complimentary wine and cheese tasting every Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. and a three-course, prix fixe Mixed Grill Dinner from 4-6:30 p.m. every day for $30. For information, call 702-382-7900 or visit www.sunsetvines.com. 

Jewelry Exhibit

Tiffany & Co. will present an elite collection of some of its most famous creations that symbolize the jeweler's great design heritage and influence fashion in every season. The collection - Icons of Tiffany - is on view from Oct. 3 - 24 at Tiffany & Co. located at the Forum Shops.

Fundraiser

In honor of Israel's 60th anniversary, the Las Vegas Philharmonic will celebrate with a gala concert on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the university's Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall.  The program will feature special performances by world-renowned mezzo-soprano Eugenie Grunewald, tenor Nathan Brian Wine, clarinetist Shelley Hanson, The Adelson Educational Campus Choir and four of the city's top cantors.  Proceeds will benefit the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus and the Las Vegas Philharmonic.  Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $30, $60 and $90, and VIP tickets with a reception and premium seating are $300, call 702-895-2787.