Gordie Brown is back and WOW is he great!  Gordie Brown 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. In the past, Gordie had a long Las Vegas stint at the GOLDEN NUGGET to rave audiences and was known as “Downtown Gordie Brown.” I was there at his closing and wrote that with his talent, it wouldn’t be long until he was onstage again. He then had a successful run at THE VENETIAN and most recently he toured North America with Celine Dion.  Now, impressionist, singer and entertainer Gordie Brown has come full circle headlining a new show Gordie Brown Live, back at THE GOLDEN NUGGET in the newly named “Gordie Brown Showroom,” along with a multi-year headlining contract.

Recently, media was treated to his show and reception and although I’ve seen his show many times, I always enjoy his amazing talent. Gordie Brown performs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with a live band.

Celebrities will show their stuff at THE PALMS Rain nightclub on Sunday, April 19, during the fundraiser “Dancing with the Las Vegas Stars.” The fundraiser supports five local charities that help Las Vegas residents fight cancer. Hosted by The Caring Place and presented by Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, the dance competition begins at 2 p.m. and will feature the following celebrities, each representing a specific charitable organization:

City of Las Vegas MAYOR OSCAR B. GOODMAN for the American Cancer Society, World Champion boxer RAY “Boom Boom” MANCINI for The Caring Place, KLUC Radio Personality CHET BUCHANAN for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, ZOWIE  BOWIE singer Chris Phillips for the Candlelighter’s Childhood Cancer Foundation, and Phantom of the Opera actor BRENT BARRETT for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Master magician LANCE BURTON will serve as Master of Ceremonies, while TV host ROBIN LEACH, Channel 13 weatherman BRIAN SCOFIELD, comedian LOUIE ANDERSON, female impersonator FRANK MARINO, and professional ballroom dancer TONY DELGADO will roast the competitors. TINA WALSH  from Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular and TRAVIS CLOER from Jersey Boys will perform while the final votes are tallied. Mrs. Nevada TIFFANY COMSTOCK will also be on hand as the celebrity hostess.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster for $50 plus applicable taxes and fees. The price includes appetizers and one drink. Attendees must be 21 years or older. The public’s votes will decide the contest’s winner. Votes are $1 each with all proceeds benefiting each charity, and can be placed during the show or via the event’s Web site at: DancingWithTheLasVegasStars.com,

The Caring Place is the only center of its kind in southern Nevada, and it was created to provide an oasis for individuals and families on their journey with cancer in order to enhance their quality of life. Programs at The Caring Place began in February of 2008 and include complementary therapies such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Reiki, Meditation, Reflexology, Wellness Seminars, Support Groups and Art Therapy. All programs and services are provided at no charge; in addition, they are available not only for those journeying through cancer, but also for their family, friends and caregivers. The facility includes therapy and classroom space, a lending library with cancer resource materials, general interest books and Internet access, a children’s playroom, an art therapy room, and a beautiful lounge area.

MonteLago Village at LAKE LAS VEGAS, JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION and THE EASTER BUNNY present their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 12.  Kids of all ages are invited to visit with the Easter Bunny or participate in one of the Easter Egg hunts, with the chance to win prizes, toys and candy. The event is free and open to the public. Easter Egg Hunt participation is $3 per child and a portion of the proceeds benefit JDRF.

Sunday, April 12  - 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. = Hourly Easter Egg Hunts

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. = Special Appearance by the Easter Bunny

Free Comicatures from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Tutti Gelati as well as entertainment from a balloon artist, raffles and much more while you enjoy the beauty of The Village and listen to music provided by a live DJ.

In addition, at MonteLago Village you can enjoy a 45 minute, relaxing yacht tour of Lake Las Vegas at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. for $25 per couple, single passengers are $15 and children under the age of 12 are $5. And, if you would like to stay on, Monte Lago offers Easter Family Brunch packages which includes an overnight stay on either April 11 or 12 and Easter Brunch in Café Tenuta located inside the Casino MonteLago. Pricing varies depending on room type and number of family members. For lodging reservations, please call 888-6000. 

Who can ever forget Kato Kailin who was so visible during the O.J. Simpson trial.  Well, you can now see him in person until April 9 at PLANET HOLLYWOOD’s Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding Crashers. Kato currently hosts National Lampoon’s Viral Videos, co-hosts “Outtabounds” on Fox in San Francisco and is touring with the “Weenie Manologues” (the male answer to Vagina Monologues).

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is an entertaining interactive show that satirizes an Italian-American wedding. The all-inclusive dinner show features a full Italian buffet dinner, from the executive chefs of the award-winning Spice Market Buffet, wedding cake, a celebratory champagne toast, live band, dancing and plenty of laughs. Ticket prices to Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding start at $86.89, with VIP packages from $139.99 to $159.99 plus tax. Performances are Monday through Saturday at 7 pm 

The Colosseum at Caesars Palace has the exceptional Bette Midler performing The Showgirl Must Go On April 1, 3, 4, 5 at 7:30 p.m.  
 

 

Since February 2008, the "people's diva" has been giving her fans everything they want and more - including plenty of hits and glitz in her spectacular Vegas show, The Showgirl Must Go On. Now celebrating one year of success, Bette Midler is continuing her 2009 schedule at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with 22 additional performances from May 27 through June 28, 2009.  

Over the past year, The Showgirl Must Go On has continuously been on top of the Billboard BoxScore Concert Sales charts and has celebrated sold-out houses and critical acclaim.  Daily Variety called the show "a razzle dazzle spectacular," The Los Angeles Times proclaimed, "Bette Midler is brash, funny, schmaltzy, surprising, poignant, charming, provocative, witty, bawdy and, of course, Divine," and the New York Daily News says Miss M. "hits the jackpot" with the most exciting show of her career. "The Showgirl Must Go On is not only the biggest show of my career - it's the biggest show in the history of show business," said Bette Midler. "I can't believe I've already been in Vegas for a year, but if you haven't seen me yet, get your butt down here. I am giving Sin City a roasting and toasting she'll never forget."  

When Bette Midler leaves in April the Colosseum has some more greats.  

Cher performs April 25, 26, 28, 29 and Elton John "The Red Piano" April 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16,18, 19, 21, 22. 

My good buddy Jimmy Rooney (legendary Mickey Rooney’s son, who looks just like young Mickey) just let me know that he is appearing at The Gold Strike Hotel & Gambling Hall at Jean, NV in his “Jimmy Rooney Show – Voices of the Stars”, a variety show with music, songs and voices. The show is performed weekly on Wednesdays at 1pm, tickets are $33 and you can bring a friend for FREE- Jimmy Rooney has voiced some of the World's most endearing cartoon characters in Hollywood. He performed as one of the original Archies. Jimmy performs hundreds of different voices: Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Flounder, from The Little Mermaid, Dudley Moore, Dr. Ruth, Paul McCartney and many, many more. Jimmy asks the audience if they have any questions about the days and life of his father. There are many stories and facts he has, since he grew up in Hollywood. There is a tale about  the movie stars of every era that has gone by. The show plays videos of some of the famous people he has met and worked with.  

Putting the sin back into Sin City, “Sin City Comedy” opens April 15 at the HARMON THEATER with performances nightly at 7 p.m. This comedy show that contains a touch of burlesque will feature nationally known headliner comedians as seen on HBO, Showtime, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Show with David Letterman.”  Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian John Padon is at the helm of “Sin City Comedy” after headlining around the world and anchoring numerous Las Vegas productions including “X” and “The History of Sex.” “It’s time to tear down that ubiquitous ‘brick wall,’ shake things up and bring comedy and sin back together like they used to and should be,” Padon says of the new show,  “There won’t be any French people doing flips, mind you, but we’re not gonna kick you in the wallet either. Now that’s a stimulus package.”  

ORLEANS SHOWROOM:

Kenny Rogers: April 24-26. A winner of three Grammy awards, 11 People’s Choice awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music awards and five Country Music Association awards, Rogers still loves sharing his incomparable sound with live audiences across the world.

Houston-born Rogers formed his first band, The Scholars, while in high   
school in 1956, and his music career has continued uninterrupted to   
this day. “The Gambler,”a story-song which eventually became a TV movie starring Rogers in the title role, launched Rogers on a second career as an actor.     

SUNCOAST SHOWROOM

I knew they would be back soon. Who?  For a limited engagement, the wonderful SOCIETY of SEVEN performs on April 10, 11 and 12 and the fabulous SCINTAS on April 17-19. Both these shows have graced Las Vegas stages with raving reviews for some time now. I know they will be having their own headlining shows in the near future. I sure hope so; these are certainly shows with major talents that have wide appeal.  

The Tokens take the SUNCOAST SHOWROOM stage April 24-26. The Tokens are renowned for their 1961 chart-topper “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.  Four boys from Brooklyn, The Tokens blend showmanship, humor and musicianship in every performance, whether at Radio City Music Hall, Disneyland or on The Tonight Show. In a musical career shaped by such hits as “Tonight I Fell in Love,” “I Hear Trumpets Blow” and “Portrait of my Love,” The Tokens were among the first to successfully use a falsetto lead voice. That sound would later influence such groups as The Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin and Rush

THE CANNERY welcomes the eighth annual “Pure Aloha Festival’ featuring delectable cuisine, arts and crafts, performances and entertainment straight from the Pacific Islands beginning Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19. The celebration will feature evening concerts on both Friday and Saturday and a daytime festival that will showcase the best of the Hawaiian culture on Saturday and Sunday at The Club inside the CANNERY Casino & Hotel.  
The concert on Friday will feature performances by Katchafire, Rebel Souljahz and HaleAmano, Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. The concert on Saturday will feature performances by Willie K and Hawaiian Soul. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $24 in advance and $29 at the door. Children under 10 will be admitted into the concerts for free. The Pure Aloha Festival is a highly-anticipated event and is THE CANNERY’s 5th year of hosting the event.

The HARD ROCK HOTEL/CASINO has a BRAND NEW “JOINT” with some incredible performers scheduled:

THE KILLERS - Friday, April 17^th at 8pm.  Their album Day & Age sold over a million copies worldwide in its first week of release. Because of this, The Killers expanded their sound into new territories with tremendous results. 

AVENGED SEVENFOLD - Saturday, April 18^th at 8pm  (With special guests Atreyu and Rev Theory)

PAUL MCCARTNEY - Sunday, April 19^th at 8pm

The legendary rocker, Paul McCartney. McCartney is one of the world’s most influential and successful singer/songwriters, writing some of the most popular music in rock ‘n’ roll history 

BON JOVI - Friday, April 24^th at 9pm

Bon Jovi has set the bar for more than two decades as one of the most successful rock bands in the world.  Globally, they have sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,500 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 32 million fans. Their latest album, the Nashville-inspired Lost Highwa, released June 19, 2007, debut at #1 around the world and includes the hits songs "Lost Highway" and "(You Want To) Make a Memory." The band's 2005 album, Have A Nice Day, featured the Grammy-Award winning song, "Who Says You Can't Go Home," and fueled one of the top-selling tours of 2005.

Country great Kenny Chesney  - Saturday, April 25. Kenny will be joined by Miranda Lambert & Lady Antebellum.  

Platinum Productions debuts its super sexy, rockin’ topless revue, “Sin City Bad Girls” on Friday, April 24, at 9 p.m. in the LAS VEGAS HILTON’s 340-seat Shimmer Showroom.  “Sin City Bad Girls,” created and produced by entertainment executive Glenn Medas and Emmy Award-winning choreographer and director Michael Chambers, features a cast of eight gorgeous dancers, lead by knockout songstress Lorena Peril backed by an electrifying live band. The sizzling “Sin City Bad Girls” scantily clad beauties will burn the floor with their seductive moves performing sexy scenes that reveal their best assets. The show’s rockin’ opening number features Lorena with her amazingly unique vocals and her smokin’ hot topless professional dancers revealing more than skin and lots of sass.  When the lights go down, the action heats up and the dancers get even hotter. This is the only show of its kind with a rockin' live band showcasing the slammin’ sounds of pulsing rock, pop, country and blues...

Platinum Productions LLC was founded by 25-year entertainment veteran Glenn Medas and Emmy Award-winning choreographer and director Michael Chambers.  The duo creates and produces a variety of live entertainment, shows and events. 

I made a faux pas.  I had been out of town for a few weeks and when I came back, I was looking forward to Grammy winner Larry Hart’s Concert of “Praise.” So, not looking in my appointment book, I drove to the SILVERTON Casino where I was told there was no such show going on.  I frantically started calling people who I thought would know where “Praise” was performing, but to no avail as they were all probably at the show.  I finally reached someone at the show who told me it was at the SOUTHCOAST Casino.  I hurried there, but I lost so much time, I missed a great deal of the show.  What I did see, and what people said about the show was that it was an amazing performance. Hopefully, it will play again and I will be sure to tell my readers about seeing it.  

“Praise” – An Irreverently Reverent GOSPEL Experience starred Larry Hart, special guest Mary Williams, Broadway star Linda Hart, and six sensational female singers in designer costumes. “Praise” is inspired by the world’s 10 major religions and in a fun and entertaining way, celebrates the rural roots of gospel music while fusing it with the idea of higher consciousness.  The original 90-minute, fully orchestrated non-secular musical was written and conceived by Larry Hart, who is a multi-platinum and Grammy winning recording artist.  Special guest Mary Williams is a former Shirelles member who replaced Mary Wilson of the original Supremes and she toured with Diana Ross.  Broadway star and Larry’s sister, Linda Hart was the first to play Velma Von Tussel in “Hairspray.” The rest of the over-the-top experienced singing cast included:, rock sensation Jill Rock Jones, gospel dynamo Jennifer Wainwright, commercial and casino lounge singer Jeneane Marie, jazz vocalist Paris Red, Korean-American songstress Jenevi and Diane Spann. 

The ladies’ outfits were another show-stopping element. The designer costumes by Lorenzo Valentino and Michael Flach featured vintage Escada, Chanel, Oscar de La Renta, Bob Mackie, Givenchy, Yves St. Laurent, Dior, St. John, Anna Nateece and some Ross for Less.

Larry Hart is part of the successful musical Hart family that recorded 25 gospel, two country and two pop albums. As a songwriter, Hart has sold more than 30 million Gold and Platinum albums. He received his first Grammy Award nomination at age 16 and won the Grammy Award at age 19.

World-renowned psychic medium and author of The New York Times best seller, “Crossing Over” John Edward is known internationally for his unique and uncanny approach to connecting with those who have passed on. Edward will be at the  FLAMINGO showroom Saturday, April 18 – 11:00 a.m. Guests are part of a larger audience, thus no one attending the seminar is guaranteed a reading. Tickets for John Edward start at $100 (plus tax and fees).

On Sunday, April 5, from 12 to 4 p.m. ElevenSpa Vegas and Ken Paves Salon have teamed up with TOWN SQUARE to host the hottest block party in Las Vegas. ElevenSpa Vegas and other stores at Town Square Las Vegas will Rock the Block with complimentary food, drinks, prizes, promotions and special celebrity appearances while 97.1 The Point broadcasts live. 
Complimentary spa tours, luxurious treatment samples and special promotions will be provided by ElevenSpa Vegas with complimentary food and drinks provided by The Grape. All visitors can enter to win an indulgent spa day prize package or a glamorous spa makeover in the Ken Paves salon at ElevenSpa in addition to tons of prizes provided by 97.1 The Point. This event is FREE.