For the third consecutive year Lance Burton in conjunction with the MONTE CARLO would like to offer local residents  $35 tickets during Locals Appreciation Weeks from Tuesday, Nov. 28 thru Saturday, Dec. 9. To take advantage of the $35 ticket including tax, call 730-7160 or come by the Lance Burton Theater Box-Office. There is a $3 per ticket handling fee.  You must mention the Locals Appreciation Weeks special when ordering tickets and show your Nevada photo I.D. when picking up your show tickets.

COMEDY CENTRAL's one-hour special "The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level," debuted on Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 p.m. The Amazing Johnathan combines magic performance (such as swallowing razor blade like they’re candy), off-the-wall humor and abrasive wit. Along with his delightfully ditzy assistant, Psychic Tanya they perform illusions – even though some of the tricks may not turn out as planned. Over the past 25 years, The Amazing Johnathan has made appearances on numerous TV shows including COMEDY CENTRAL's "Premium Blend," FOX's "Comic Strip Live" and "Late Show with David Letterman" and has performed for audiences all over the world, including dignitaries and high-profile officials such as President Reagan and the President of France.  The Amazing Johnathan performs nightly at the SAHARA.  

What can I say about Gordie Brown, now at THE VENETIAN that I haven’t said before.  I’ll say it again and again, this guy is not only terrific in every sense of entertainment, but this father of four has more energy than any entertainer I have seen of late.  Perhaps his being ADD adds to his energetic performance that is A+.   A reception at TAO at the VENETIAN after his media performance enabled his appreciative, glowing fans to meet and greet with him. Although the room built for him is larger than the intimate setting he had at the GOLDEN NUGGET, his warm and friendly appeal shines through. By the way, he was on David Letterman’s show on Nov. 15.

Menopause The Musical® celebrated its 400^th show at the LAS VEGAS HILTON on November 16.  Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, Writer/Producer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change.” Since its first performance, the show has evolved as a "grassroots" movement of women who deal with life after 40 and all the challenges that result in the mental, physical and spiritual freedom of the post-World War II baby boomer generation. Lot’s of fun, even for the guys.

It’s official, former Baywatch hunk, David Hasselhoff will be playing the part of the Nazi in the Las Vegas production of The Producers. 

After an amazing first appearance on “The Megan Mullally Show” on October 13, when Nathan Button cut Megan in half, Burton has been invited back to the show for a special holiday performance.  Nathan Burton will kick off his performance by magically levitating the former “Will and Grace” star.  He will then make it snow in the studio audience in Los Angeles, spreading holiday cheer with his sexy snow bunny showgirls. The episode will air locally on Tuesday, December 12 at 2 p.m. on KTUD UPN Channel 25 and Wednesday, December 13 at 8 a.m. on TBS.  Burton gained national recognition as the most featured magician on NBC’s hit, “America’s Got Talent. During the top-ranked series, he made host Regis Philbin appear wearing a hot pink corset, flushed a policeman down a toilet, escaped from the “Microwave of Death” and even made it snow in L.A.  Burton will be seen as a special guest and coach on Season 2 of “America’s Got Talent   Nathan Burton performs his Comedy Magic at 2 p.m. in the “V” Theater at the ALADDIN.

Vanessa Minnillo will take the stage as she celebrates her 26^th birthday.  For one night only Minnillo grabs hold of the microphone as the emcee of the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls.

THE BACKSTAGE REVIEW had previously performed at UNLV to standing room only crowds with over 150 people turned away. Now it will be presented again for those 150 who were turned away and for the general public on Nov. 18 at the WINCHESTER COMMUNITY CENTER at 2 p.m.  The Backstage Review is an old time Vaudeville extravaganza of comedy, dance and music entertainment featuring some of the best talent in the Las Vegas Valley. Tx $10.00, Seniors $9.00 and groups rates 10 or more $8.00. Call 878-2908.

CLUB ITALIA honored Tony Sacca at their annual awards dinner, dancing and entertainment event. Tony  Sacca was honored for his merit achievements in the field of television and entertainment. Past recipients have included Judge Joseph Bonaventure, Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt, comic impressionist, Fred Travalena and singing impressionist, Bill Acosta. 

I love Black Tie events, dressing up and feeling glamorous. But two together, back to back, after just getting back into town was a bit much, although very enjoyable.  Attendees were dressed to the nines at the third annual HOSPY (Hospitality industry) awards gala at WYNN.  Guests from all over the country extended congratulations to lifetime achievement honoree, Paul Steelman.  Masters of Ceremonies were TV 13’s Tricia Kean and Bryan Scofield. An amazing video was shown of  Paul Steelman’s enormous accomplishments as a visionary architectural designer in entertainment, hospitality and gaming venues worldwide.  

And, in a beautiful banquet room at RED ROCK CASINO, the LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC GUILD held their annual gala and called it “MUSIC ON THE ROCKS.”  Attire was ‘Glitz and Bling.’ The event honored Hugh and Phyllis Roberts who were and are the founding President and Vice President of the organization, a volunteer support Guild for the Philharmonic Orchestra. In the three years they have served, $75,000 has been given to support the Orchestra. Gala chair Sondra Lynch and co-chair Randi Wiessen are to be commended for a fabulous evening of great fun entertainment, delicious food and wonderful gifts for all.  Both events had outstanding silent and open auctions that were enthusiastically bid on.

THE WORLD JEWELRY CENTER (WJC) is slated to revolutionize the jewelry industry as well as change the economic perspective of downtown Las Vegas with the largest jewelry project in the world, a one million-square foot facility. The World Jewelry Center will forever change the Las Vegas skyline and become an important landmark for the city. Guess what happy Mayor is behind this?

And, speaking of downtown, Hogs & Heifers Saloon is proud to announce the Second Annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run to benefit Sunrise Children’s Hospital and the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. Toys and monetary donations can be donated for Toys for Tots at Hogs & Heifers Saloon The Motorcycle Run will be Sunday, December 17,  8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Some headliner shows are so spectacular they require tickets way early in advance of the show date. Some even require getting wristbands before being able to buy tickets. People stand on line for hours and even throughout the night to get wristbands. These shows are now in that category and tickets are being sold, so get ready, set, and go for them real fast. 

THE BLACK EYED PEAS, one of the music industry’s most popular hip-hop bands, Friday, Dec. 29 at the MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER;

VAN MORRISON considered one of the most influential vocalists in the history of rock ‘n roll, at the MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER Saturday, Dec.30;  Platinum-selling country superstar GEORGE STRAIT during Super Bowl-weekend at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Feb. 3, 2007 with legendary RONNIE MILSAP known for his popular country soul tunes as the evening’s special guest.  2006 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Monday, Dec. 4 on FOX.

A new special day downtown for ART and ENTERTAINMENT is every third Saturday of the month. ARTABOUT is the largest street festival and farmer’s market in Southern Nevada celebrating the cultural art of the Las Vegas community and lasts 8 hours on 16 blocks from 2p.m. to 10 p.m.  Admission is FREE.  Free parking, valet and a round trip shuttle to the World Market Center are available. After each ArtAbout, thirty percent of all beverage revenues will be returned to the Las Vegas community with donations to The Lili Claire Foundation and to the Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs. The premiere event was held October 21; the date for the remainder of 2006 is December 16. Entertainment is a large part of the festival with a mix of local, regional and national acts. Each month ArtAbout features an art competition between Clark County Junior and Senior High Schools. Winning schools receive $500 toward the purchase of art supplies. ArtAbout also includes a Kids Zone, where children can play in a Jump House, try their luck at a game of skill, create a Mural, learn arts and crafts techniques and stimulate the artist within.  The ArtAbout festival is located in the Las Vegas Art District, “18-B,” between Charleston Blvd. and Garces on the North and South and Main St. and Casino Center Blvd. to the East and West.  More info: www.ArtAbout.org.

Alben is a major entertainer in Hawaii and now and then appears in Las Vegas, calling it his second home. He charms audiences with his charismatic flair and has a vast vocal range. Alben sings anything from pop, ballads and Broadway to opera. He just closed at ALADDIN’s V Theatre, but will be back soon.  Watch for him.