May '10 Entertainment—Z.Z. Zorn's Entertainment Tidbits Column

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May 2010

G
REAT SPECIALS FOR LOCALS:

Japan’s top-selling production Matsuri at the IMPERIAL PALACE has some surefire special offers and discount deals. Japanese for “Festival,” Matsuri is presenting a month-long discount ticket price for Las Vegas locals. May is for Locals at Matsuri now through May 26, Residents can purchase tickets to enjoy Japan’s famed “Muscle Musical” Matsuri for just $15 each (two ticket maximum purchase per person).

Matsuri is an action-packed, non-verbal production that showcases extreme athleticism through a series of unique variety acts. The 75-minute high-energy show features a cast of 18 Japanese athletes, performing stunts ranging from the “Human Jump Rope” and “Judo Tango” to the “Lion Dance” and “Foot Drums.” Extreme variety, extreme beauty and extreme entertainment take center stage at inside the Imperial Showroom. Show times are 4 p.m. Saturday–Thursday, with an 8 p.m. show on Fridays. Tickets can be purchased at the box office and must have a valid Nevada ID.

Lance Burton was voted “Best Magician” 12 years in a row by the R-J Reader’s Poll. He was also selected as Las Vegas’ “Best Entertainer” by Nevada Magazine. “Lance Burton: Master Magician” tickets will be on sale for two tickets for the price of one for all shows thru Sunday, May 30. The purchaser must present a valid Nevada ID at the time of pickup at the Lance Burton Theatre Box-Office at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. Tickets can be purchased by calling (702) 730-7160. Show times are Tuesday thru Saturday at 7 p.m. with a 4 p.m. matinee on Sunday, May 30th for the Memorial Day Weekend. Lance Burton’s final show at the Monte Carlo is Saturday, Sept. 4th.

This month, Disney’s award-winning Broadway phenomenon THE LION KING will celebrate its first anniversary at MANDALAY BAY. To commemorate its one-year anniversary, THE LION KING is offering an incredible deal for Las Vegans so everyone can partake in the celebration. “LION KING LOVES THE LOCALS” offers 2-for-1 tickets for locals, valid on all performances from May 17–June 20. Though the production pounced onto the Mandalay Bay Theatre stage one year ago, it already has a lot to celebrate. Within nine weeks of its Las Vegas debut, Disney’s THE LION KING broke the MANDALAY BAY box office record previously held by MAMMA MIA! and then went on to break its own record four more times throughout the year.

The Liberace Foundation & Museum is commemorating the birthday of Mr. Showmanship, celebrated entertainer and pianist Liberace, with a variety of concerts, autograph signings and a birthday cake Sunday, May 9–Sunday, May 16. The Museum is offering discounted admission and extended Hours during the celebrated entertainer’s birthday week.

Guests may take advantage of the discounted admission price of $3.50, the admission charged when the museum first opened its doors in 1979, as well as extended museum hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 9 through Sunday, May 16. Liberace’s wax figure, on temporary loan courtesy of Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, will be on display for photograph opportunities. Guests will receive a 20 percent discount at museum the gift store. The week begins with Mother’s Day on May 9, and concludes May 16, Liberace’s actual birthday, with a cake cutting celebration and ceremonious “Happy Birthday” performance. Liberace, born May 16, 1919, would have been 91 years of age.

Six-time Grammy® award recipient Ronnie Milsap performs at Eastside
Cannery Casino & Hotel on Friday, May 28 at 8:00 p.m. With 40 number one country music hits and over 25 million records sold, Milsap is one of the most influential and successful country crossover singers. He has won a dozen Country Music Association awards, including four Male Vocalist of the Year awards and Country Music Television has deemed Milsap one of the 40 Greatest Men of Country Music.

Born with a congenital defect that left him blind, Milsap started a career in law until a chance meeting with his idol Ray Charles led him to pursue a musical path. Milsap emerged in the country music scene in 1973 with his debut single “I Hate You.” The following year, he released two #1 hits: “Pure Love” and “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends.”

Milsap’s career took flight between 1976 and 1978, when he had a streak of seven #1 singles, including “(I’m a) Stand By My Woman Man” and “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life”. The smash 1977 hit “It Was Almost Like a Song” topped not only the Billboard country charts, but also reached #16 on the pop charts, and #2 on the Adult Contemporary charts, making Milsap a household name. His success continued into the ’80s with an 11-song series of #1 hits. During this time, he released one of his most popular crossover records, “Smoky Mountain Rain,” gaining the #1 spots on both the Top 40 pop and Adult Contemporary charts. Recently, Milsap added to his discography with a gospel-inspired album entitled Then Sings My Soul.

Ronnie Milsap

Pete Wilcox is the star of The King Lives now at HOOTER’s Casino. Wilcox has been doing tribute concerts of Elvis for over forty years. He has portrayed Elvis on television more than any other actor. Wilcox was featured in Cheers, LA Law, ALF, Murphy Brown, Designing Women and numerous other series. If you close your eyes you will think Elvis is singing—his voice is that similar. Pete Wilcox puts on a very entertaining show in addition to his tribute to Elvis.

The King Lives is just one of the fine shows available at HOOTER’s. Also available in the Night Owl Showroom is the popular Prince tribute show, Purple Reign. Todd Paul and The Dirty Joke Show are playing in the Iowa Theater for the Performing Arts and The Men of “X” is playing in Dixie’s Dam Bar. Show times vary, check with the HOOTER’s Box Office.

Mac King celebrates 10 Years of Laughter and Magic with “The Mac King Comedy Magic Show” at HARRAH’s. To honor this momentous occasion, Mayor Oscar Goodman proclaimed his anniversary date May 4, as Mac King Day in Las Vegas. In the last 10 years King has performed an incredible 5,200 shows to more than one million audiences. That translates to:
2,600 days of plaid suits worn
15,600 feet of rope used for King’s famous rope trick
270,400 playing cards
15,600 magically appearing fig newton pastries, and
26,000 audience volunteers!

Mac King’s successful career in magic comes as no surprise. King grew up around two grandfathers who were magicians, and gained an interest in magic at an early age when he checked out a book on magic in his school library. As a child he would perform magic shows for his family and friends, and by age 10 he had his first paid show at a friend’s birthday party. After graduating in 1981 with dual degrees in Magic and Anthropology from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., King took his show on the road, performing to audiences around the world.

In 2004 King, who was born and raised in Kentucky, partnered with KFC to create the KFC Mac King Kids Laptop Pack®—a customizable kids meal featuring “Magic In a Minute.” During the fall months of August through October 2004 KFC sold nine million KFC Mac King Laptop Packs nationwide.

King, one of today’s brightest and most talented magicians, takes the stage twice daily, Tuesday through Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. in the Showroom Theatre. Tickets are $24.95 plus tax.

In addition to the great MAC KING show, HARRAH’S hosts a wide variety of entertainment options, ranging from the comedy of Rita Rudner, and The Improv, to the longest running tribute show in the world, Legends in Concert, and live music at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill.

M RESORT’s innovative new cooking show, “Martini Time with Chef Tina Martini” will now be seen by more than 400,000 households on Cox 96 in Southern Nevada three times a day, two days a week. In addition to airing on Cox 96, “Martini Time with Chef Tina Martini” will also stream live on www.Cox96.net and be available via ON DEMAND (Cox Channel 1, Best of the Valley) Those who tune into the show can expect to be greeted by Chef Tina Martini, also known as the “naturopathic chef.” Chef Tina’s unique ability to connect and educate people on the nutritional value of food we eat.

The format of the show will largely remain the same with opportunities for a live audience and special local celebrities to cook with Chef Tina. Shows will focus on three key areas of living healthy—nutrition, fitness and mind/body—while simultaneously providing easy recipes and practical kitchen advice, tips and techniques for the home chef.

Chef Tina will continue to perform her regular live shows Thursday–Sunday at 12 noon and 4 p.m. inside the custom cooking studio at the M RESORT’s Studio B Buffet. Tickets to all shows are now $39.95 and include reserved seating inside the buffet. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or call 800-745-3000. Guests must be age 12 or older.

PALMS Casino announces updated free entertainment in The Lounge featuring DUELING PIANOS and performances by the legendary SKIP MARTIN (Kool and the Gang) and his energetic band Sunday nights from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. DUELING PIANOS interactive show will perform Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Performances are free and open to the public; 21 and over; seating is first-come, first-served.

Jackie Baskow iconic talent agent, presented a launching event for ‘Amy After Dark’ radio show at ELEVEN SPA in Town Square. A red carpet with celebrities Rick Fauno (Jersey Boys), Erik Floyd (Producer) and many others were there to enjoy the evening’s festivities and meet Amy. The “Amy After Dark” relationship diva, Amy Rubin’s show airs every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on XRadio (www.xradio.biz) and has already captured more than 1.2 million listeners worldwide. Amy Rubin moved to Las Vegas four months ago.

I was out of town when Human Nature first started performing and I haven’t had the opportunity to see them as yet. I have heard they are spectacular and next week I am invited to their anniversary performance along with an important announcement. In fact, their mentor, the great Smokey Robinson, will be at that event. I’m looking forward to that announcement and will let my readers know as soon as I know.

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® invites you to savor the finest food, spirits and wines at Taste of the Nation Las Vegas on June 2 at Rain Nightclub in the PALMS. You will have the opportunity to meet with the nation’s hottest chefs and mixologists—all of whom are coming together to donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger across America. Mingle among the industry’s elite and get first-hand experience of the cutting-edge creativity that has made Las Vegas the sought-after destination of the most selective of palates. Top chefs and mixologists will be on hand to share their newest creations. Take part in exclusive silent and live auctions featuring rare and exotic finds, knowing that proceeds contribute to ending childhood hunger in Las Vegas and across America. 100% of ticket sales supports Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger. VIP Admission $100—5:30–9:00 p.m. General Admission $75—6:30–9:00 p.m.

Show producer and entertainer Tony Sacca plans to open his “Vegas The Show” as an afternoon program this summer with an optional lunch offer at the LAS VEGAS ROCKS CAFE downtown in the EMBASSY THEATRE. “Vegas The Show”—A Story In Song is a music, comedy and multimedia journey through the history of Las Vegas. It starts from the 1930s, progresses to the present day, and includes a look into the future of Las Vegas in the year 2050.

“Vegas The Show” stars a cast of five: Singer, Entertainer and Television personality Tony Sacca; Comic impressionist Tom Wallek; and “Vegas The Show-Girls”—principal singer/dancer of “Jubilee!”—Laurie Caceres, and Singers/Dancers Nellie Norris and Amanda Kaiser. The Multi-Media show covers the history of Las Vegas since The 1930s.

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health celebrates a dream 14 years in the making, with the opening of the Frank Gehry designed Life Activity Center. This landmark occasion will culminate with the release of 1,000 memory-filled biodegradable balloons, in a tribute to the cherished memories of its patients, caregivers, staff and supporters. The opening of the masterpiece that is the Life Activity Center marks the completion of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.